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SENIORS ON MEDICARE
KEEP GETTING SHAFTED
Date: May 23, 1999
To: The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News
Here are my views on the constant poking at Social Security and Medicare
cuttings. It should start at the top! A cut in foreign aid, not Medicare,
should balance the budget. Seniors on Medicare should flood their congressmen
with calls and letters before they make more cuts.
Democrats and Republicans are determined to balance the budget mostly on the
backs of seniors on Medicare. The only fair way is to cut all entitlements the
same percentage as they cut Medicare. Medicare is the only entitlement that we
pay into, while the others are all free. I exclude Social Security because to
me it is a pension trust fund, funded by recipients. I know that I pay Part B
Medicare every month out of my Social Security check and so does everyone else.
In addition, there would not have to be any cuts in Medicare if Congress cut
out waste, junkets, and all foreign aid. I hear that since its beginning, we
have paid over $ 4.5 trillion for foreign aid. Since we have money like this
paid out of our taxes, then we certainly should have money for citizens of this
country on Medicare - or do foreigners mean more than
American citizens? The only candidate who wants to cut out aid completely is
Pat Buchanan, who has announced it in his platform.
Seniors are being shoved out of hospitals too fast, even without more cuts. It
may cost some $ 2,000 more a year than they are paying now. Some are forced to
go to the HMOs with inferior doctors with no experience and just beginners. How
about the ones who cannot get an appointment for three months? We may not get
to see specialists at all, as they are too good for us, and some doctors
accepting Medicare may no longer when fees get too low. If they do, they may
spend as little time as possible with patients and give us inferior care.
Let's also cut all perks our senators and congressmen receive; all the benefits
they receive for life -
high salaries and great pensions. No need for them to worry about Social
Security and Medicare! They are there to serve us, not to feather their own
nests.
Write all your representatives and be heard. We, as seniors, stand strong. Our
votes are a big factor, and the wheel that squeaks gets the oil. Write!
Arthur B. Nagy
Jensen Beach, Florida
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