Sens. Cruz, Lee Introduce Bill Safeguarding Seniors’ Right to Choose Healthcare

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) introduced the Retirement Freedom Act. This bill provides senior citizens with the ability to opt-out of Medicare Part A without being forced to lose their Social Security benefits.

Sen. Cruz said, "The Retirement Freedom Act empowers seniors to choose the healthcare plan that works best for them, without coercing them with the threat of losing their Social Security benefits. Congress should act now to pass this critical legislation and give America's seniors the freedom and security they deserve."

Sen. Lee said, "Americans deserve the freedom to opt-out of Medicare they don't need without losing the Social Security benefits they've paid for. The Retirement Freedom Act gives the power back to America's seniors to make their own medical and financial decisions without getting shortchanged by the federal government and losing their Social Security."

Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.).

Rep. Palmer said, "Under current law, seniors are unable to make healthcare decisions for themselves. This is completely unacceptable and why I reintroduced the Retirement Freedom Act. People should not be forced to give up their private insurance because their Social Security is being held hostage. Thankfully, this bill would decouple Social Security from Medicare and allow senior citizens to be empowered to take more control over their own medical decisions."

This bill is supported by Citizens Council for Health Freedom and Heritage Action.

Twila Brase, RN, PHN, Co-Founder and President of Citizens Council for Health Freedom said, "The Retirement Freedom Act is a vital step toward restoring true freedom for America's seniors. The requirement that senior citizens enroll in Medicare Part A or lose access to their Social Security benefits is both unconstitutional and unconscionable. Freedom to choose private coverage must be restored. This bill rightly decouples Social Security benefits from Medicare enrollment, giving Americans the ability to chart their own course in retirement, without government interference or penalty. We are proud to have first urged introduction of this necessary corrective in 2011 and to support its reintroduction today. We thank Senator Cruz for championing the right of seniors to opt out of Medicare without losing what they've rightfully earned."

Steve Chartan, Vice President of Government Relations at Heritage Action said, "Through the Retirement Freedom Act, Senator Ted Cruz is working directly for senior citizens - ensuring they do not lose Social Security benefits if they opt out of Medicare, and that they are equipped to opt back in if need be. This is commonsense policy. It's pivotal we put a stop to federal coercion of seniors that limits their freedoms. Heritage Action commends Senator Cruz's continued dedication to extending healthcare freedom and applauds his legislation."

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND

The Retirement Freedom Act decouples Social Security from Medicare, allowing America's seniors to keep both their private insurance and their benefits. Sen. Cruz previously introduced this legislation in 2018, 2019, and 2021.