Debbie Dingell: “like the many seniors who have contacted me, I am shocked that the Republican budget slashes Medicare by $270 billion.…”

“like the many seniors who have contacted me, I am shocked that the Republican budget slashes Medicare by $270 billion. It now appears that Republicans are preparing to end Medicare as we know it. Recent media reports indicate that they want to privatize this valuable program, as they did when it was enacted in 1965. Sadly, the Republicans are hiding their plans for reforming Medicare. The current legislative schedule allows for only a few days in September to introduce, review, and vote on their proposed changes. If my colleagues across the aisle have such wonderful ideas for ensuring the solvency of Medicare and the health of their seniors, why are they keeping them a secret? What are they afraid of? It appears that they are trying to sneak their radical and extreme cuts by the American public. I can understand why they would be inclined to do so, given the fact that they are also pushing a $240 billion tax cut for the wealthy. Raiding Medicare to pay for this unwise tax cut will inflict unacceptable pain on this Nation's seniors. Out-of-pocket expenses for seniors will rise by $850 by the year 2002. These cuts will also greatly diminish the ability of older Americans to access quality care. Seniors have a right to know what is in store for Medicare, especially if they are being asked to bear skyrocketing premiums and limited access to care to help finance tax breaks for the wealthy.”