But with the Social Security trust fund now set to run dry in just six years — and Medicare not far behind — further inaction will soon be an untenable option. It is intended to create a mechanism to force Congress to do its job regarding Social Security. The proposal directs the Social Security Advisory Board to hold a series of public meetings intended to gather input about possible reforms needed to fortify the program for decades into the future. The purpose is to get members on the record one way or the other as seniors face threatened benefit cuts if the structural deficiencies of Social Security aren’t addressed. It also “mandates a decennial review of solvency, triggering the same procedure if future shortfalls are projected, ensuring that future issues with Social Security solvency are addressed ahead of time and providing additional security for future recipients of the program,” according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.