Rep. Maloney started her career as an ESL *English as a Second Language) teacher in East Harlem. When her program was cut, her colleagues elected her as their advocate to restore funding - and she succeeded, setting an example that has extended throughout her career, first working with the NYC Department of Education and then as a legislative staffer in Albany. After gaining that experience, in 1982 she ran a long-shot challenge to an incumbent City Council Member in a district that spanned East Harlem, South Bronx, Manhattan Valley, and Carnegie Hill - and she won an improbably upset.
Since her election to Congress, Congresswoman Maloney has worked to protect Social Security and Medicare and to get senior citizens the care and resources they need and deserve.
In New York, Congresswoman Maloney’s dedicated casework staff helps seniors every day with Social Security claims, housing, and other essential services. If you or someone you know requires assistance, please visit this page for more information.
Medicare and Social Security: Congresswoman Maloney has been a tireless advocate for Medicare and Social Security, ensuring they remain strong and reliable for seniors. The Social Security Trust Fund has provided all working Americans financial support in their old age since President Franklin D. Roosevelt first created the program in 1935. Unlike any private investments, Social Security provides inflation-proof income for life, furnishing millions of older Americans a crucial safety net. The Social Security system must be strengthened over the long term, but privatizing the system is not the answer. Our solution must protect the promise made to seniors who have come to rely on Social Security for their retirement. Congresswoman Maloney also believes strongly in maintaining a Medicare system that provides quality and affordable healthcare to all senior citizens in America. That is why she has consistently pushed Congress to improve Medicare services and lower the costs of drugs for seniors.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Thanks to this landmark healthcare legislation, seniors in New York have saved a total of $1,150,173,343 on their prescription drugs, with more savings on the way. The health care law will close the Medicare Part D ‘donut hole’ in the next 10 years. In addition, Medicare now provides free coverage of key preventive services, such as mammograms and colonoscopies. In 2014 alone, 2,387,588 seniors and people with disabilities enrolled in Medicare in New York used one or more free preventive services because of this provision.
Senior Housing: Congresswoman Maloney has worked to ensure that seniors can continue to live in their own communities, close to family and friends. As part of that effort, she has secured federal funding through a multitude of federal sources, such as the Section 202 program, the Federal Home Loan Bank, HUD’s HOME program, and the Low Income Housing Tax Credits. This funding has been used to build or preserve senior housing developments in her district, including Carnegie East Houses, Riverview Gardens, HANAC Archbishop Iakavos Senior Residence, HANAC PCA Senior Residence, HANAC George T. Douris Tower, the Vallone Family Senior Residence and 1850 Second Avenue.