U.S. Sen. Rick Scott promises a safer country for seniors in 2026.
The Naples Republican chairs the Senate’s Select Committee on Aging, where he has worked in bipartisan fashion with U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, the ranking Democrat, on a number of health care and social service issues. But he also promised to use the gavel to deliver accountability regarding bureaucratic overreach and abuse.
“Throughout my career in health care, as Governor of Florida, and now as a U.S. Senator, standing up for America’s seniors has always been a top priority,” Scott said, “and as chairman of this committee, I look forward to continuing our bipartisan work with President (Donald) Trump and my colleagues to build on the incredible progress to Make Washington Work and ensure Americans can age with dignity, independence and security, this year and for generations to come.”
The committee last year held more than 20 hearings while also issuing a number of letters and producing legislation.
Scott said the chief goal of the committee will remain ensuring every American can answer affirmatively when asked, “Are you well?” With the end in mind, the committee focuses on four pillars involving senior Americans: physical health, financial security, community safety and strong family and community support.
That has sometimes led Scott to explore issues not directly tied to aging, such as an investigation of response to the Palisades fire in California, something Scott called an “unacceptable failure of government.”
Scott said in his specific position as Chair that he will still demand accountability — whether that’s from federal agencies, foreign generic drug manufacturers, health systems, financial institutions or international actors — whenever their actions impact older Americans.
But he also wants to tackle affordability, specifically when it comes to budget busting pressures on Americans feeling the weight of prescription drug costs, housing insurance and long-term care.
He wants to increase transparency across health care, financial services, government programs and the tech world.
Finally, Scott wants to focus on safety, both in the homes communities in which they physically reside as well as online spaces increasingly trafficked by seniors with finances and often when seeking generic prescription drugs, items the retired health care executive wants to ensure are safe to use.
