Speech #970073388

In 1965. the hospital insurance (HI) benefits program (medicare. part A) was started. financed by a portion of the payroll tax. In addition. benefit levels have been repeatedly raised and adjusted for inflation. Contrary to widespread popular opinion. OASI benefits are not paid to illegal aliens. In fact. it is far more likely that such illegal workers are paying social security taxes. but never collecting benefits. and that they are obtaining false social security cards to work rather than to collect benefits. Further. supplemental security income (SSI) which is totally funded through general revenuesalthough administered by the Social Security Administrationis paid only to eligi-