Medicare Eligibility Age Would Rise from 65 to 67
The following statement was issued by Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, regarding today’s vote on the House’s fiscal 2018 budget resolution.
“Today the House of Representatives said to retirees, ‘You are not our priority.’
“The wealthiest 1% are the big winners here, at the expense of seniors and working Americans losing their earned health benefits. The Republican plan is clear: offer enormous tax giveaways to corporations and the wealthy, cause the deficit to skyrocket, and then claim we need to cut Medicare and Medicaid.
“This budget raises the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67 and turns guaranteed benefits into a system of inadequate vouchers. It is a stab in the back to the millions who contribute to Medicare throughout their lives, expecting it to be there when they retire.
“With their vote to cut nearly $500 billion from Medicare and more than $1 trillion from Medicaid, the House has laid the groundwork for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy who don’t even need them.
“Cuts of more than $1 trillion to Medicaid will force states to make deep cuts in the number of people who receive benefits, or the amount of health care provided. Over 70 million beneficiaries rely on Medicaid, including almost 6 million seniors who depend on it for their nursing home and home care services.
“Knowing that President Trump is colluding with House Speaker Ryan to pass this budget after he promised not to cut Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security is beyond appalling. Alliance members will send a clear message to members of the House: Hands off my Medicare and Medicaid.”
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Contact: David Blank 202-637-5275 or dblank@retiredamericans.org
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