As members of the congressional supercommittee are announced, those in the benefits field are no doubt asking themselves, "What will this mean for me?"

The bipartisan committee must strike a deal to reduce the deficit by $1.5 trillion or more, which will certainly mean cuts to many programs.

To help you sort out the differences (and similarities), we've compiled a slideshow highlighting members' platforms on the issues that matter to you. We focused on health reform, taxes, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, as well as other issues that could shape the industry.

Patty Murray, Senator (D-Wash.) — Committee Co-Chair

Where she stands: Murray is in line with her party when it comes to most issues, including taxes: she voted against the amendment to raise the value of the estates affected by estate taxes to $5 million and to lower the maximum rate to 35 percent. She's in favor of the AMT, and in favor of the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

Murray generally wants to keep Social Security a public affair. She voted against the amendment to create a reserve fund for Social Security, and against the proposal to place some public funds into private accounts. Murray is against cuts to Medicare reimbursement rates and fought hard in favor of the $250 coverage gap for seniors who fell into the donut hole. She voted against Medicare Part D.

Like most Democrats, Murray is an advocate for health care reform. She believes in eliminating lifetime caps and pre-existing conditions, and supports CHIP.

(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

John Kerry, Foreign Relations Committee chair (D-Mass.)

Where he stands: Until his Super Committee appointment, Kerry's Congressional accomplishments have been modest. Kerry has voted in favor of all ACA-related legislation, including CHIP bills. He cosponsored a bill that calls for a repeal of a provision of the Affordable Care Act that extends to non-tax exempt corporations the requirement to report payments of $600 or more.

As to Medicare, Kerry has cosponsored several pieces of legislation to help eliminate coverage gaps. In a "Meet the Press" interview, he spoke favorably of the deal attempted by President Obama and Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) because of its mix of reductions and Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid reforms. He believes there needs to be a mix of "some revenue" as well as cuts. In the past, Kerry has voted against placing Social Security funds in reserve accounts.

Kerry is in favor of the alternative minimum tax and voted against raising the value of estates affected by the estate tax. He has sponsored legislation, such as the Taxpayer Responsibility, Accountability, and Consistency Act of 2009, which cracks down on corporate taxes and makes employers more responsible for reporting to the IRS.

(AP Photo/Julia Malakie)

Max Baucus, Senate Finance Committee Chair (D-Mont.)

Where he stands: In addition to voting along Democratic party lines when it comes to the ACA, Baucus cosponsored a bill to extend federal funding for operation of state high risk health insurance pools. During the 2009 health reform discussion, Baucus worked hard to get bipartisan agreement on the issues.

Baucus was the prime sponsor of the alternative minimum tax repeal, and also voted to repeal the estate tax. He recently said he'd like to simplify the tax code to increase compliance rates and close the tax gap.

Baucus voted in favor of Medicare Part D. Earlier this year, during budget discussions, he agreed to Medicare provider cuts, but only if they matched new tax revenues. Baucus has said that Social Security is not in crisis and is therefore off the table when it comes to budget cuts.

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Xavier Becerra, Representative (D-Calif.)

Where he stands: Becerra has been wholly supportive of the health care reform package. He voted in favor of the original bill and additional amendments, as well as support of the reconciliation bill that allowed health reform to pass.

He voted in favor of the original Part D bill, but ultimately he voted against the bill in its final form. Becerra has cosponsored a bill requiring HHS to offer a public health insurance option, a bill calling for transparency in health care pricing, a bill allowing HHS to negotiate for lower Part D drug prices, and a bill to increase appropriations for health center programs, to name a few. He is very supportive of public health programs.

Becerra has consistently voted against eliminating the so-called "death tax," which applies a tax to estates larger than a given amount. He also voted against the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and in favor of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2007 (Republicans voted against this bill on the grounds that it violated PAYGO). Becerra consistently votes in favor of AMT relief acts.

Becerra voted in favor of the bill to increase maximum contributions to IRAs and 401(k)s, as well as in favor of a bill that would have made it out of order for the government to go into a year with a budget that it knew spent more money than the government took in (with a goal of protecting Social Security and Medicare). Ultimately, the bill failed.

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Chris Van Hollen, Representative (D-Md.)

Where he stands: Van Hollen has cosponsored two Social Security-related amendments in separate years (2007 and 2009) to repeal the government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions. He voted against the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and supports relief for the AMT. He cosponsored a bill which restricted the use of offshore tax havens and abusive tax shelters, and another, which would have repealed the federal income tax and enacted a national sales tax (the Fair Tax Act of 2007).

Van Hollen is in favor of the ACA, voting in favor of it and many amendments to strengthen it. He has cosponsored many pieces of legislation related to health reform, including the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act, a bill that allows HHS to negotiate Part D drug prices, and a bill that calls for total transparency in health care pricing.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

James Clyburn, House Majority Whip (D-S.C.)

Where he stands: Clyburn voted in favor of CHIP, but against Medicare Part D (both before and after it came back to the Senate for a final vote). He is in favor of health reform, and has cosponsored a bill to add a public health insurance option. He also cosponsored the bill which calls for Medicare Part D price negotiations by HHS, and called for improved health and access to health care careers for minorities.

Clyburn has stated that he is not in favor of raising taxes, but would rather focus on closing current tax loopholes. "If you tell me that my tax rate is going to be 30 or 35 percent and I come up with all kind of gimmicks with pretty smart lawyers and only pay 9 percent, there's something wrong with the loopholes in the law," he said. "We want to close those loopholes up. We do not want to raise anybody's tax rates. That's never been on the table." He voted in favor of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and was a cosponsor of the Fair Tax Act of 2007, which would abolish the IRS, end federal taxes, and creating a national sales tax.

Clyburn has not been particularly outspoken about Social Security issues. He voted in favor of raising the minimum contribution amount for 401(k)s and IRAs, as well as in favor of a bill that would make it out of order for the government to consider a budget which spent more money than it took in.

(AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

NOT FOR REPRINT

© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.