Public Record
Social Security / Medicare and Andy Harris
He reassures seniors that benefits are safe. His budget votes and leadership alignments tell a different story—one where “fiscal restraint” puts earned benefits at risk.
What Harris says publicly
In public remarks and on his official issue pages, Andy Harris routinely claims to support seniors, retirees, and those who “paid into the system their whole lives.” His messaging emphasizes:
- Protecting Social Security and Medicare for current seniors
- Fiscal responsibility and “saving” entitlement programs for future generations
- Opposition to government waste, framed as necessary to preserve benefits
- Respect for seniors as a cornerstone of Eastern Shore communities
The language is careful and reassuring—designed to signal protection without naming specific policy tradeoffs.
Voting record
Where Harris has supported seniors and healthcare
Supported Medicare Advantage options for Eastern Shore seniors
Harris has publicly supported Medicare Advantage preservation. Medicare Advantage enrollment data and program details are tracked by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Source: CMS — Medicare Advantage; KFF — Medicare Advantage)
Championed the Veterans Choice Program for older veterans
Harris advocated for the Veterans Choice Program, which allows elderly veterans on the Eastern Shore to access care through local providers. The program was created by the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014. (Source: VA — Veterans Choice Program; Congress.gov — VACAA)
Supported the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program
Harris championed a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program to keep rural hospitals viable and strengthen local care access — a priority for Eastern Shore seniors who depend on rural hospitals as their primary healthcare resource. (Source: Baltimore Sun — Reader commentary)
Where Harris has opposed Social Security and Medicare protections
Supported budget frameworks proposing cuts to Medicare and Social Security
Harris backed House Republican budget resolutions that proposed converting Medicare to a premium support system and making structural changes to Social Security — approaches that analysts at the Congressional Budget Office said would reduce benefits for current and future retirees. (Source: GovTrack — Harris report card)
Voted against the Inflation Reduction Act's Medicare drug price negotiation
Harris voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which included a provision allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices directly for the first time — a change the CBO projected would save seniors billions annually, including on insulin. (Source: GovTrack — Harris votes)
Voted against the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion and senior protections
Harris voted repeatedly to repeal the ACA, which included provisions closing the Medicare prescription drug "donut hole," expanding preventive care coverage for Medicare beneficiaries, and extending Medicaid to low-income seniors not otherwise covered. (Source: Common Sense Eastern Shore)
Impact on seniors on Maryland’s Eastern Shore
Higher costs, less security
Cuts or restructuring don’t affect Wall Street—but they do hit retirees on fixed incomes who rely on Medicare for survival.
Rural healthcare strain
Eastern Shore hospitals and providers depend heavily on Medicare reimbursement. Reductions threaten already-fragile rural healthcare systems.
Aging communities at risk
Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, and surrounding counties have higher-than-average senior populations. Policies that erode Medicare and Social Security disproportionately harm the Shore.
Public Statements and Voting Record
Bottom line: Public Statements and Voting Record
Where he has supported seniors and healthcare
- Backed Medicare Advantage options for Eastern Shore seniors
- Championed Veterans Choice for elderly rural veterans
- Supported $50B Rural Health Transformation Program
Where he has opposed Social Security and Medicare protections
- Backed budgets proposing Medicare restructuring and SS cuts
- Voted against Medicare drug price negotiation (IRA)
- Voted repeatedly to repeal ACA senior protections