Scott is a strong supporter of San Diego’s senior citizens and disabled citizens, and he’s brought that commitment to Washington. In 2013, Scott cosponsored the Elder Protection and Abuse Prevention Act, which would strengthen the definitions of elder abuse, neglect and elder justice, and defines senior financial exploitation and adult protective services.  It would also require all states to incorporate standardized elder abuse screening and reporting protocols into their state and area plans on aging.
Scott was also an original cosponsor of the Protecting Seniors from Health Care Fraud Act of 2013, a bill to require the National Health Care Fraud & Abuse Control Program, in conjunction with the HHS Inspector General and the Attorney General, to generate a report with policy recommendations on the most prevalent health care schemes, and to mail seniors a list of the top ten health care fraud schemes.
Our tax system is notoriously complex, so Scott cosponsored the Seniors’ Tax Simplification Act of 2013, which would make available a new federal income tax form to those who have newly turned 65. This new form could be used even if income includes: social security benefits, distributions from qualified retirement plans, annuities, or other such deferred payment arrangements, interest and dividends, or capital gains and losses.
Scott voted for the Safeguarding America’s Pharmaceuticals Act of 2013, which would establish a national system for tracking and tracing pharmaceuticals, under which all members of the pharmaceutical distribution supply chain – including manufacturers, wholesale distributors, pharmacies and repackagers – would keep detailed records of transactions made between them when drugs change hands.
Protecting Worker Pensions: As a City Councilman, Scott stood up to Wisconsin-style politicians who were trying to take away the retirements of people who’d worked hard their whole lives and were counting on them.
Partnering with AARP: Scott is the co-founder of the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, a national organization that partners with AARP, and others, to create a nation-wide focus on making neighborhoods more pedestrian friendly, which is critically important for seniors who can no longer operate vehicles.
Accessibility at the City: As a City Councilman, Scott secured funds to make public facilities more accessible to people with disabilities – such as smoother sidewalk surfaces, curb cuts and crosswalks for the vision impaired– all important to seniors who need these improvements to get around their neighborhoods.
Accessibility at the Port: As a Port Commissioner and as chair of the Port’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, Scott oversaw the completion of 280 improvements to public spaces within Port tidelands to make them more accessible to people with disabilities. The $1.6-million worth of improvements were made at 176 different locations. Now all of these beautiful waterfront parks and spaces can be enjoyed by everyone.