AARP Connecticut hosted a live, interactive tele-town hall forum with the candidates for Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District on October 18. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, running for her fourth term, and former State Senator George Logan participated in the event. AARP CT Director Nora Duncan moderated the event, which lasted approximately 45 minutes.

Prior to the call, a coin toss determined Logan would be the first to make a two-minute opening remark and the final closing remark. Hayes made the second opening response and answered the first question, and then offered the first closing remark. The event, Duncan said, was not a debate. There were no rebuttals allowed.

Listeners were invited to present questions over the phone or via Facebook commenting.

Logan opened by saying he has spoken to many parents and grandparents, who are worried that “the dream” of America is gone “and that their kids won’t have the same opportunities that they did.

“I hear from people from throughout the district who are maxing out their credit cards, worried about retirement, folks that just can’t save for a rainy day. People in our community aren’t feeling secure, whether it’s financially or physically. The crisis at the border has brought in deadly drugs and guns. We look around the world and we see the tragedy of war.

“It doesn’t have to be this way,” he continued. “I know we can do better. I’ve got a 97% voting record with my time as a State Senator, working across the aisle to deliver common sense solutions like the bipartisan budget in 2017 that brought a bonding cap, and a spending cap, and a volatility cap, that has resulted in budget surpluses that has actually helped lower some taxes here in Connecticut.

“I’m optimistic. We can make a difference if we find opportunities to compromise,” he continued. “I tell folks my goal is simple: I want Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District to be the best place to work, live, raise a family, and retire.”

In her opening statement, Hayes noted Connecticut “is the seventh oldest state in our country, and with our growing aging population, things like Social Security, Medicare, housing and caregiving have never been more important. I have a proven track record in Congress of supporting legislation that will strengthen our social services and ensure that all seniors have the opportunity to age and retire with dignity.

“I’ve supported comprehensive legislation such as the Social Security 2100 Act to protect our Social Security system and improve benefits for current and future generations. This bill would increase benefits by 2% across the board for all beneficiaries, for the first time in 52 years, and improve the cost of living adjustment to reflect inflation.

“I’ve also supported bipartisan legislation like the Home Care For Seniors Act, allowing older Americans to use their life savings and health savings account to pay for home care services. Additionally, I’m also a co-sponsor of the Credit For Caring Act, which would provide up to $5,000 in federal tax credits for eligible and working family caregivers.

“I’ve supported the repeal of the Windfall Elimination, which would help so many retirees in our state,” she continued. “We must work to protect Social Security for the 93,000 CT-05 families right here in my district who rely on it.”

Hayes said she has often talked about her grandmother, and her family caring for her at home, “so I am deeply concerned about this issue.”

Hayes referenced the Republican Study Committee budget released earlier this year, “which calls for over $1.5 trillion in cuts to Social Security, including an increase in retirement age to 69 and reduction in disability benefits,” she said. “That is unacceptable, and when I return to Congress I will continue to fight to support these programs, and continue to work so that we improve home care and home caregiver support.

Family Caregivers

The first question to the candidates concerned the 48 million Americans, according to Duncan, who help loved ones daily, so they can remain in their home independently. “These family caregivers sacrifice time and money, and provide $600 billion annually in unpaid support,” Duncan said. “How would you support family caregivers?”

Hayes said this is something she has been working on in Congress. Her family was able to keep her grandmother, who had dementia and then Alzheimer’s, she said, home for nearly five years, providing around the clock care. She highlighted her co-sponsorship of the Home Care For Seniors Act, “which would allow people to use money from their health savings account to pay for home care services.”

The bill would empower seniors to live with dignity, she said, whether they choose to stay at home or join a dedicated community.

“I’m also a co-sponsor of the Credit For Caring Act, which would provide up to $5,000 in federal tax credits for eligible and working family caregivers.”

Hayes pointed out she also co-sponsored the Connecting Caregivers To Medicaid Act, which would require the publicizing of voluntary options to share Medicare beneficaries’ health information with a family caregiver that they choose; and of the Affordable Connectivity And Extension Act, “to provide $7 billion in benefits for affordable connectivity and high-speed internet options for qualified households so that they can get telehealth services.

Logan called it “an honor” to care for family members as they age, even while dealing with the challenges that come with that.

“We can’t discount the impact this has on families that are juggling work life, balancing that with caregiving,” he said. His 86-year-old mother lives independently, he noted, and his siblings and cousins have been helping care for her. Recent healthcare challenges included not only caring for her medically, he said, but also arranging for a new roof on her house.

“One thing I’d like to explore in the next Congress would be providing tax credits to family members who are juggling these responsibilities, whether it’s paying out of pocket for medications, supplies, driving, and other living expenses,” he said. “We should find a way to offer relief.”

Social Security Trust Fund

Duncan then asked the candidates about the Social Security Trust Fund and its expected shortfall within the next decade. Does either see a bipartisan path forward to protect Social Security for those who have earned it?

Logan said he has not, and will not support cuts to Social Security. In Connecticut, over 500,000 retirees depend on their Social Security benefits, he said.

“Unfortunately, my opponent and others in Washington voted to default on our debt, which would have been catastrophic for Social Security beneficiaries. … We need to ensure that Social Security is solvent, and benefit levels must remain adequate for the current economic climate.”

Hayes responded by saying protecting Social Security has been a “major priority” for her. The program is “a sacred trust.”

The Republican Study Committee she referenced in her opening statement, she said, seeks to cut Social Security.

“They don’t say it in plain terms, but things like raising the age and lowering some of the benefits is the way you phase out programs like Social Security. … I’m a co-sponsor of the Social Security Fairness Act, which would repeal the Windfall Elimination and … that’s something I’ve heard so much from retirees in this state.”

Hayes has signed a discharge petition, she said, along with 217 other members of Congress to try to force that to the floor for a vote. She also said she is a co-sponsor of Social Security 2100, “which Representative John Larson has championed in Congress, and that would protect our Social Security system and it would improve benefits for current and future generations.”

Hayes also wants to look into “what some of the highest earners pay into the Social Security Trust Fund,” she said. “We have to make sure that this remains solvent.”

Protecting Medicare

Hayes and Logan were then asked how they would protect Medicare from program cuts and how they would see it improved.

Hayes said she often hears from many people asking to have Medicare expanded to include coverage of dental, vision and health.

“The head is also part of the body. We need to make sure that is covered in our health care,” she said. “That is something we need to look at, and expand those programs.”

Hayes said she agrees with the Biden-Harris Administration’s call to extend the solvency of Medicare, “by modestly increasing the Medicare tax rate on incomes over $400,000.” She also wants to see some of the program’s loopholes closed, “to make sure we are properly funding the program so it is there for people who are using it.”

Hayes would shorten the time line between applying for and learning whether a person has been approved or not for Medicare, she said. She would continue to negotiate the price of prescription drugs, “so that the amount our government is paying out in savings would not impact people’s benefits. If we can lower the price of prescription drugs, and save money for the program, we could use that money in other places.”

She would also make sure the program offers preventative care services, she said.

Logan began his response by making it clear he does not support cuts to Medicare, including changing the age of Medicare eligibility.

“Medicare is such a critical social insurance program for Americans who enter the phase of life where these benefits are necessary,” he said. “For Medicare to work better, we must address lowering health care costs across the board. Everyone is going to have to come to the table.

“It’s my priority to ensure that Medicare benefits are there for everyone, and it is incumbent on Congress to work together so these benefits are there for generations to come. Both parties are responsible for where we are right now and in order for us to find a workable solution we need both parties to work together.

“My opponent wants bigger government, she wants to raise taxes. We saw that with the Inflation Reduction Act, which actually cut Medicare spending to spend on green new bill priorities. The current Administration in Washington wants to slash Medicare Advantage benefits for seniors on fixed incomes.

These cuts mean putting an extra $16 billion costs on customers, driving up prices for seniors, who can least afford it.”

Logan said an independent voice needs to stand up and say No to “these hairbrained schemes.”

The Lower Middle Class

The candidates were then asked what they are doing or would do to help lower middle class senior citizens financially.

Logan said the cost of everything needs to be brought down.

“The costs are up for groceries, prescription drugs, and what we get with bigger and bigger government is higher taxes,” while what seniors have available to spend is not increasing.

“It’s getting harder for people to leave the workforce and enjoy the fruits of their labor,” he said. Bringing costs down overall so that people can prioritize saving, Logan said, “rather than living week to week, paycheck to paycheck.”

Social Security should continue to provide a stable foundation for retirement income, he said. Access to savings vehicles should also be a priority, he added. Additionally, there should be a way to incentivize investments for both employees and employers, he said.

Hayes said the legislation she referenced earlier “would improve the cost of living adjustment, to reflect inflation, so seniors would see their benefits increase as inflation goes up. That would really help lower income seniors.

The legislation also increases benefits by an additional 5% for most elderly people who have been receiving benefits for 15 years or more, she said. Legislation she has supported, which has been signed into law, she said, includes the Inflation Reduction Act, a yearly cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs and Medicare; and a low income subsidy program under Medicare Part D, “that will be expanded to 150% of the federal poverty level” starting this year.

“I have always fought for lower income seniors, low income residents in our state,” she said. “The proposals that we talked about are not to raise taxes, but it’s for people who make over $400,000, to pay their fair share into these programs. There’s no reason why a millionaire and a teacher or a police officer or a firefighter should be paying the same tax rate.”

Hayes also said she would strengthen and improve programs such as Meals on Wheels, to reach the most vulnerable seniors in the community.

Age Discrimination

The candidates were next asked how they would combat age discrimination and help older workers who need or want to continue working.

Hayes has several retirees working in her office, she said. A co-sponsor of the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, Hayes said the bipartisan proposal would strengthen antidiscrimination protections for older workers. It would, in part, “ensure that there is accountability in the work force. It would ensure that victims are not required to refute every reported nondiscriminatory motive offered by the employer, and really put the onus back on the employer.

“We’ve seen seniors who have full and productive careers, who want to go back to work, and they should be able to enjoy that,” she said.

Logan said as people continue to work later in life, particularly considering the high cost of living here in the Fifth Congressional District, “we absolutely must protect everyone in the work force from any discrimination, including on the basis of their age. … We should do everything we can to take advantage of the experience and work ethic older workers bring to their employers,” he said.

With 90,000 job openings in Connecticut, Logan said, he would look at work force training, “and other programs that are absolutely necessary to remove barriers to employment and help grow a healthy and sustainable economy that takes advantage of the skills and expertise of all Americans.

Despite the fact there are laws on the books concerning age discrimination, he said, “it still happens. We need to make sure that age discrimination is treated with the same scrutiny as other forms of discrimination.”

Hearing Aids & Medicare

The sixth question was from a caller who wanted to know why hearing aids are not covered by Medicare.

Logan said it is “incumbent on Congress to make sure needs of seniors are met, and certainly hearing aids are one of those.

“My goal is to represent the folks in the district, and take those types of issues and complaints, and bring that to Congress and actually make some change, actually be the voice for the folks in the district,” he said. “I will listen to the folks of the district and I will see where the deficiencies are in Medicare, and I will do everything I can to make positive changes down in Washington.

Hayes also said she hears similar questions. She also said when negotiations were underway for the Build Back Better Plan, Democrats “tried to get this included so that hearing aids would be covered under Medicare.

“This was rejected by my Republican colleagues, and Build Back Better ultimately never passed,” she said. “It was something that not only have I supported, but I tried to get into legislation.”

It will be incumbent on Congress, she said, to look at that again. She raised her earlier point of having those who make $400,000 or more pay more into the program, “so that we have the resources to close some of the loopholes.

“I fought really hard to get this included in the legislative passage that ultimately was not accepted, but we live to fight another day. We keep going back, we elect people who believe that it should be covered, and we keep bringing things like this to the floor so that we can get a vote and have it included.”

Biggest Challenge

Hayes and Logan were asked what they see as the biggest challenge for those age 50 and over.

Hayes returned to Social Security, which she again called “a sacred trust” she is devoted to protecting.

“People have paid into this, they’ve worked, they have had the payroll taxes deducted, and they expect to have that into retirement,” she said.

Affordable housing for seniors is another “big issue,” in the Fifth District, she said. “I’ve brought back millions of dollars for affordable housing, and the Vice President has promised to break ground on three million new housing units.

“All of those things have to be options for our seniors, and they should not have to deplete all of their savings, and sell all of their assets in order to be eligible for Medicare and some of the programs that are available to them.”

Logan said he hears “a lot about prescription drugs.”

Washington does not accept enough blame, he said. “We can’t have the government picking winners and losers when it comes to patients and your health.”

Pharmaceutical benefits are in “desperate need of reform,” and transparency is required so that when a company offers a discount it goes to the patient, “not the insurance company or the employer,” he said. Government setting prices is driving up costs, he said.

“The Inflation Reduction Act, that my opponent voted on, that made everything worse,” Logan said. “Premiums went up, negotiated drug costs are actually higher, robust competitive marketplace has gone down, two million low income seniors lost coverage, it hurt research and development, putting patients in jeopardy, an estimated $230 billion reduction in research and development for new medicines,” he added.

Saving For Retirement

The final question of the morning concerned the cost of living and the fact that millions of people cannot save for retirement through their employers. Hayes and Logan were asked how they would help Fifth District residents save for retirement.

Logan said he knows people are terrified about whether they even will be able to retire, “because they can’t afford to save. This is at the heart of what has so many of us worried about the future: We work hard every day and try to save so you can enjoy the life you’ve built, but costs continue to rise, so it’s harder and harder for people to leave the work force.”

His answer is to make access to “savings vehicles for everyone” a priority. “We should find ways to incentivize investments for both employees and employers.”

Hayes said she supported changes to The Retirement Security Rule, which updates the definition of an investment advice fiduciary who applies to financial service providers who give paid advice for individual retirement accounts.

“What we had seen for so many years was the advisers were not giving the best information to retirees, so they could save for their retirement,” she said. “The rule that I supported would close the loophole in regulations that allow for some of these financial professionals to steer retirement savers toward inappropriate products for their own financial gain. We have to make sure the people who are providing advice to our seniors are doing it in their best interest.

“We have to make sure that our seniors are not listening to salacious advice,” Hayes said. “They’re putting away money. They should be able to enjoy it at retirement.”

Closing Statements

Hayes had the first opportunity to present a closing statement. She invited listeners to look at her voting record, which shows she voted “time and time again” for issues that support senior citizens.

“The contrast could not be more clear. I have a proven track record. We left it up to the drug companies for too long … I recognize how important Social Security and Medicare are, and will continue to advocate.

“Social Security is your money,” she continued. “You’ve earned it, you deserve it. I’m going to protect the integrity of Medicare. I have heard and listened to concerns, I know how important these issues are. I encourage you to research, and vote on November 5.”

Logan opened by going at his opponent, saying she “just hasn’t delivered the results.”

Calling her “one of the most partisan members of Congress,” Logan said he finds it “totally disingenuous for people to scare seniors by lying to them. Washington is a mess. Our politics is the problem, and my opponent is case in point of that. I know we can do better. We’ve done it at state level … I have worked across the aisle, and I have a 97% voting record,” he continued.

“We don’t have to accept failed Washington politics,” he said in closing. “The choice for Congress couldn’t be more clear.”

=====

Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.