Protect Medicare

Medicare is a cornerstone of retirement security for millions of retired Americans. It provides guaranteed health coverage to nearly every senior in the country. As Medicare celebrates its 50th birthday, however, the program finds itself under threat like never before. Politicians in Washington, D.C., like Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Marco Rubio are pushing to privatize the program and end the Medicare guarantee by turning it into a privatized “premium support” system.

Let’s get one thing clear: When politicians talk about premium support, they are talking about ending Medicare as we know it. They are talking about denying retiree health coverage, shifting costs to seniors and throwing millions of people into poverty.

These kinds of changes are not aimed at doing what’s best for our nation’s retirees. They are meant to line the pockets of giant insurance companies at the expense of older Americans. With a half-century track record of success, Medicare must be protected from the likes of Ryan and Rubio. The health of our nation’s seniors is too important.

Cathy Gunderson

Spokane