Defending Medicare mailing list [View all]

Email #1
Defending Medicare—once more into the front lines
Your last email from this list was shortly after the Super Congress could not come to an agreement on reducing the deficit. (And welcome to new sign-ups.) Medicare and Social Security were spared from major attacks. However, Republicans (aided by some Democrats who seem to have forgotten all about the New Deal) are bent on eventually eliminating Medicare and cutting Social Security as much as they can. Since the end of 2010—
• In March 2011, the House Republicans vote to replace Medicare with coupons that give you a discount on the same kind of inadequate insurance that seniors could not afford before Medicare was enacted.
• In September 2011, Paul Ryan walks the coupon proposal back to a "voluntary" program, which would destroy Medicare more slowly by segregating the sickest seniors in traditional Medicare. This proposal is then endorsed by all Republican presidential candidates.
• In March 2012, Republican Senator Jim DeMint and other congressional Republicans propose eliminating Medicare entirely in 2014. If seniors can't afford private insurance after partial government subsidy, they can apply for Medicaid, which Republican state governments have vowed to slash.
• In April 2012, the House Republicans pass a budget eliminating all Medicaid funding for seniors in nursing homes, 70% of whom rely entirely on Medicaid.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-republican-mediscare/2012/03/16/gIQAfoWYGS_print.html
http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/12/15/ryan-wyden-getting-no-love-on-democratic-side/

Clearly, electing Republicans at any level will be a complete disaster for retirees and those who are planning (or who may be forced to) retire in the near future. However, we have to hold the feet of our elected Democrats and candidates to the fire as well. The way we nip the attacks on our lifeline programs in the bud is to insist that Democrats (both incumbents and challengers) make this a prime campaign issue, especially in view of the fact that 56% of the 2012 electorate will be 55 years or older. For open seats, give your support to the candidate with the strongest positions who pledge to campaign vigorously on the issue.

I have attached a list of campaign contact information, a list of questions to ask candidates, a half-sheet flyer with Senator Wyden’s contact information and instructions for sending free faxes, and an information sheet explaining how Republicans intend to attack Democrats for “cutting Medicare.” Democratic incumbents and challengers alike really need to pay attention to that last one.

While you’re at it, take the 2012 AARP survey on Social Security and Medicare.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fdl-aarp-survey

Old age should rave and burn at close of day. Do not go gentle into that good night—rage, rage against the dying of the light.

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PS—I won’t send these emails more often than once a week at most.