We’ve got to strengthen and protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and I will continue to fight to protect these programs.
Strengthen and protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Occurrences
Social Security is a lifeline for seniors and disabled people throughout our state, and I’ll always fight to protect and strengthen the benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
Evidence
The 2026 Trustees summary says Social Security and Medicare continue to face significant financing issues. OASI full benefits are projected only until 2032 Q4, Medicare HI until 2033 Q2, both one quarter earlier than last year. It also says the One Big Beautiful Bill Act lowers future revenue from taxation of Social Security benefits and worsened HI finances.
On passage of H.R. 1 as amended, the Senate recorded a 50-50 vote, with the Vice President voting yea, and the bill passed. Senator Schatz is listed as voting Nay.
CBO estimated that H.R. 1 policies would increase the number of people without health insurance by 10.9 million in 2034, including 7.8 million from Medicaid provisions. It identified work requirements, eligibility redeterminations, enrollment-rule moratoria, and provider-tax limits as drivers of coverage loss.
Congress.gov lists H.R. 1 as having passed the Senate on July 1, 2025, passed the House resolving differences on July 3, and became Public Law No. 119-21 on July 4, 2025.
Schatz's official health-care issue page says he authored legislation for a Medicaid-based public option, is leading efforts to expand telehealth services through Medicare, and continues to fight for funding for health care programs and clinics in Hawaii.
Schatz announced nearly $25 million in HHS funding for Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems and Papa Ola Lokahi through the Native Hawaiian Health Care Program to support health education, disease prevention, and primary care services.
Assessments
The evidence shows Schatz took concrete steps aligned with the promise, including voting against H.R. 1 and supporting Medicare/Medicaid-related initiatives, but the promised outcome was not delivered. H.R. 1 became law despite his opposition and official analyses indicate it worsened Medicaid coverage and Social Security/Medicare finances, while the 2026 trustees summary shows Social Security and Medicare remain financially unresolved. The Hawaii health funding is related to health care but does not directly strengthen or protect Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid at the promised federal program level.