Daily Triplicate - Letter: Republican plan for Medicare threatens millions of seniors

I very recently received the following information from Congressman Mike Thompson because I was concerned about our cuts in benefits and doctors' cuts, etc.

Some may know that on April 5, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan released a budget plan for the fiscal year of 2012. Chairman Ryan's proposed budget cuts would privatize Medicare, forcing seniors into the private health insurance market to shop for coverage with a government voucher.

His plan slashes some of the critical investments and programs that are most important to the Americans. It would also mandate a block grant of federal Medicaid spending and severely undercutting California and other states. The Republican Study Commission, a group of 175 House Republican members, has proposed cutting benefits for everyone who is under the age of 60 starting in 2014. If the Ryan budget were to be enacted, the promise of a secure health coverage and retirement to millions of seniors would be undermined.

Now for a much sadder outcome. This misguided fiscal plan passed by votes of 253-193 and without a single Democratic vote. I believe that the pressure to make things harder than what they are for mostly the elderly and those in need came down from our president, who now plans to campaign for re-election.

I was fooled once, but I won't be fooled again. I live on Social Security, I can't afford an increase in my secondary. We haven't had an increase in our Social Security in a few years but our representatives have had at least three increases since our last one. Please think about your next election.

Rita Moore

Crescent City