In our Congressional District (2nd Congressional District of Oregon) over 157,000 individuals age 65 or older receive Social Security benefits: Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) benefits.

These include approximately 126,000 retired workers, about 17,500 widow(ers) and parents, and over 6,000 persons who receive extra Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These SSI benefits are provided to about 1,800 people for severe poverty, 520 blind recipients, and 4,000 who are disabled.

These benefits are vital for survival for many people in Southern and Eastern Oregon. Social Security benefits have kept many seniors out of poverty and been a life saver for disabled people. Nationwide, the Social Security Administration (SSA) sends payments to 73 million people each month. “Forty percent of older Americans rely on Social Security as their primary source of income and would face economic hardship if benefits were not paid out on time,” according to AARP. In our district, about 11% of individuals aged 65 and over live below the poverty line, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Nevertheless, President Trump and Elon Musk are actively crippling SSA’s ability to function. With so many retired and disabled people dependent on SSA benefits in his district, you would think that Rep. Cliff Bentz would be staunchly defending the SSA. Well think again.

The SSA has served Americans since its establishment in 1935.  Many people don’t realize that the SSA also oversees Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, enrollment and premium collection. Approximately 42% of residents in Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District are enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), Oregon’s Medicaid program, totaling around 298,000 individuals. About 20% of Oregon’s population is enrolled in Medicare.

Given the scope of their responsibilities, SSA is an amazingly efficient and effective organization, even though its staff of 57,000 is at the lowest level in 50 years. SSA handles a staggering 27.9 million phone customers annually, averaging about 265,500 calls daily. SSA offices get 40.7 million visits annually, with a daily average of approximately 160,000 visitors.

Until now, if there was a payment error, recipients could call SSA’s 800 number or visit SSA field offices in Bend, Medford, Klamath Falls or The Dalles, and expect rapid response.

Unfortunately, Social Security is now under attack. Musk is firing staff who answer the 800 number and closing offices, leaving seniors who miss their checks nowhere to turn. The SSA website crashed four times in 10 days in March. Some callers report being put on hold for four-five hours.

Leland Dudek, acting SSA commissioner, reportedly plans to eliminate up to 50% of its workforce with “massive reorganizations.” Dudek has also “pushed out dozens of officials with years of expertise in running Social Security’s complex benefit and information technology systems.” Elon Musk, who calls Social Security “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all times,” and his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) have forced out thousands of Social Security workers and gained access to private beneficiary data.

Meanwhile what is Representative Bentz doing to protect SSA?  Nothing at all.

While he claims to be a staunch supporter of Social Security, he dismisses concerns about President Trump and Elon Musk taking a chainsaw to SSA and other vital government agencies. All so they can lower taxes for millionaires.

Let Rep. Bentz know how important the Social Security Administration is to you and how these cuts will hurt you, your family and your community. Come 2026, we should send someone back to Washington, D.C., whose primary concerns are the needs of our communities, including elders, children and those with disabilities.

Martin Albert, MD, lives in Ashland.