Huntington, NY - May 17, 2016 - Today, Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern released his detailed "Seniors and Alzheimer’s Solutions Plan" pledging to advocate for seniors and protect future generations from the devastation of Alzheimer’s disease.
As Chairman of the Veterans and Seniors Committee in the Suffolk County Legislature, Steve Stern has spent his career developing creative solutions to fight this devastating disease that affects so many of our families.
As a Certified Elder Law Attorney, Steve Stern has a clear, unique understanding of what it takes to fight all plans to weaken or privatize Medicare and Social Security. Stern has spent decades bringing to the forefront the struggles faced by “sandwich generation” family members who care for elderly relatives. That is why he is fighting to adjust the tax code to help seniors and their families provide for in-home care.
In Congress, Stern will continue Steve Israel’s fight to address the plague of Alzheimer’s. This year alone, Alzheimer's and other dementias are projected to cost our nation an estimated $236 billion, placing an enormous strain on the Medicare program. By 2050, these costs are projected to hit more than $1 trillion (in 2016 dollars).
New York’s 3rd Congressional District is fortunate to have some of most prestigious research institutions in our nation. Stern has pledged to continue the work of bringing these institutions together and ensuring they have the resources required to protect future generations from Alzheimer’s disease.
Steve Stern will make his detailed "Six-Point Seniors and Alzheimer’s Solutions Agenda" a Congressional top priority. Stern's plan will preserve dignity and independence to our most vulnerable seniors, and, for caregivers, through tax reallocation, Steve Stern will reduce the financial stress and emotional toll of supporting those we love most deeply. Congressional support necessary to invest resources to find the cure for Alzheimer’s Disease will be a top priority.
As part of his 6-Point Seniors and Alzheimer’s Solutions Agenda, Stern has promised to:
- Fight to protect seniors from any and all plans to weaken or privatize Medicare and Social Security
- Restore annual cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security recipients
- Create a $6,000 caregiver tax credit to provide assistance to members of the “sandwich generation” caring for elderly loved ones
- Ensure lower prices for prescription drugs for seniors
- Target revenue from the estate tax to expand home care services to seniors and people with special needs so that they can age in place and remain in the homes they love
- Deliver research and development funding to Long Island’s world-renowned institutions to find the cure to Alzheimer’s disease
After unveiling his Seniors and Alzheimer’s Solutions Agenda, Legislator Stern said: “Our older neighbors, and the family members who care for them, need to know that Congress is fighting for them and not for the special interests. As a Certified Elder Law Attorney, I have dedicated my entire professional career to standing up for our most vulnerable residents. In Suffolk County, I have used my experience to work together in a bipartisan way to sponsor legislation and create programs that have made a real difference for our seniors. I am proud to have created the first Silver Alert program in New York State and worked to strengthen the screening process for those that we trust to care for our loved ones in health centers.”
“It is unconscionable that Social Security and Medicare, the bedrocks of retirement security on which Americans have always counted, are under threat by Tea Party extremists; I will fight them at every turn,” Stern continued. “It will be a top priority in Congress to strengthen Social Security and Medicare so that today’s seniors and future retirees can count on these important programs for generations to come. My Seniors and Alzheimer’s Solutions Agenda will protect our seniors, “sandwich generation” family members who care for elderly loved ones, and promote Alzheimer’s research by bringing together Long Island’s major research institutions to discover the cure.”
About Steve Stern:
Legislator Steve Stern has spent his entire career fighting for middle class families, veterans, and senior citizens on Long Island. Currently serving his sixth term as a Suffolk County Legislator, Steve has stood out as both a progressive champion and a prudent watchdog of taxpayer dollars. He has been a leader in our community – fighting for homeless veterans, senior citizens, and protecting the Long Island Sound. Steve lives in Dix Hills with his wife, Meredith, and his two teenage boys. He is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) and serves as adjunct Professor at Touro School of Law. Steve has also served as trustee of the Multiple Sclerosis Society-LI Chapter, a past Vice-President of the Suffolk Y-JCC, and a coach in Half Hollow Hills Little League.