Salazar’s Dignity Act Will Save Social Security and Medicare and Improve America’s Healthcare System

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Brookings Institution recently published a report identifying Rep. María Elvira Salazar’s (R-FL) Dignity Act (H.R. 3599) as a solution for the United States’ growing Social Security and Medicare solvency crisis, as well as an answer to the growing workforce shortages around the country – especially in the healthcare industry.

Several provisions of Rep. Salazar’s Dignity Act are directly cited as solutions to the largest economic issues facing the United States. Specifically, the Brookings Institution references adjusting status for Dreamers, implementing the Dignity Program, and addressing visa backlogs as policy proposals that will improve the American economy and address shortfalls in the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds.

“The Dignity Act will prevent the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds from going insolvent, while ensuring we have an adequate healthcare workforce to take care of our aging population and Florida’s seniors,” said Rep. Salazar. “This will keep the economy growing and the American Dream alive for current and future generations.”

Economists have been sounding the alarm on workforce shortages and Social Security and Medicare solvency for years. This study uses data to show how provisions in the Dignity Act will help avert this crisis. It also cites how the Dignity Act will improve our nation’s healthcare system, addressing major workforce shortages in home health, nursing, and personal care aides.

This report follows an analysis from the Bipartisan Policy Center highlighting the $4 trillion in overall United States GDP growth the Dignity Act’s reforms will bring over the next 10 years, an effective 14% expansion. The Dignity Act in its totality will have substantially greater economic benefits than those outlined in both reports, as the bill addresses other broken parts of our immigration system not considered in these targeted analyses.

The Dignity Act, introduced by Reps. Salazar and Veronica Escobar (D-TX), is the only major bipartisan immigration bill in Congress. It is an immigration bill, a national security bill, and an economic bill.

The bill has gained major momentum recently, with over 35 Members of Congress cosponsoring it and endorsements/support from over 50+ stakeholders.

Cosponsors (37): *María Salazar (FL), *Veronica Escobar (TX), *Jenniffer González Colon (PR), *Hillary Scholten (MI), *Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR), *Kathy Manning (NC), *Michael Lawler (NY), *Adriano Espaillat (NY), John Duarte (CA), Susan Wild (PA), Mario Díaz-Balart (FL), Susie Lee (NV), David Valadao (CA), Darren Soto (FL), Dan Newhouse (WA), Colin Allred (TX), Abigail Spanberger (VA), Jake Auchincloss (MA), Mike Levin (CA), Marilyn Strickland (WA), Matt Cartwright (PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Dean Phillips (MI), Chris Pappas (NH), Elissa Slotkin (MI), Pat Ryan (NY), Joe Courtney (CT), Lori Trahan (MA), Chrissy Houlahan (PA), Christopher DeLuzio (PA), Eric Sorensen (IL), Nikki Budzinski (IL), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL), Emilia Sykes (OH), Val Hoyle (OR), Jared Moskowitz (FL), and Greg Landsman (OH).

The following organizations have weighed in with endorsements, statements of support, and/or positive comments about the Dignity Act:

Organizations (50+): Agriculture Workforce Coalition, Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus (ANIC), American Action Forum, American Business Immigration Coalition, American Families United, American Immigration Lawyers Association, American Podiatric Medical Association, American Senior Housing Association, Americans for Prosperity, BDV Solutions, Behring Co., Bipartisan Policy Center, Brick Industry Association, Business Roundtable, Catholic Charities USA, Chris Coons, U.S. Senator (D-DE), Cleaning Coalition of America, Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Florida Tomato Exchange, FWD.us, Hispanic Leadership Fund, Ideaspace, Immigration Hub, Improve the Dream, Invest in the USA (IIUSA), Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, LIBRE Initiative, Mason Contractors Association of America, National Association of Evangelicals, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, National Association of Landscape Professionals, National Immigration Forum, National Latino Evangelical Coalition, National Retail Federation (NRF), Niskanen Center, Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA), Power & Communication Contractors Association, Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans, Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, TechNet, TESOL International Association, Texas Border Coalition, Texas Impact, The Legal Immigration and Border Enforcement Reform this Year (LIBERTY) Campaign, UnidosUS, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), U.S. Hispanic Business Council, U.S. Travel Association, and World Relief.

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