Rep. Steve Israel Talks Healthcare for Seniors

Rep. Steve Israel spoke to a packed house of inquiring seniors on Wednesday at the Town of Huntington Senior Citizens Center about healthcare issues, Medicare and the rising budget deficit. He explained to the crowd of more than 100 that there are currently a lot of challenges in the United States, such as coming out of the great recession and fighting two wars over the last 10 years, but more difficult things need to be done, such as preserving Social Security and Medicare.

"On Aug. 14, it will be the 70th birthday of Social Security and the U.S. government made a pact with seniors saying, 'If you work hard, we will supplement your retirement,'" Israel said. "The great debate over the next few years will be with Medicare and Social Security."

Huntington resident Harvey Cash said he feels the economy is going bankrupt and he wonders how his children and grandchildren will deal with retirement if Social Security becomes insolvent.

"When the gross domestic product is exceeded by the country's debt, then we are headed for trouble," Cash said. "And what will happen to Medicare for all of us? In 2020, the country might be bankrupt."

Israel added that if we don't come up with ways to manage Medicare soon that it can become insolvent in the next 20 to 30 years due to skyrocketing prices of medical care and the high number of seniors.

"I recently introduced two pieces of legislation for all seniors to receive a yearly Social Security cost of living increase because all costs increase yearly," Israel said. "I am also sponsoring a bill in October that would give seniors a $250 special adjustment in addition to the cost of living adjustment. This plan will cost the government approximately $10 billion, but this is the least we can do for seniors whom have paid a lifetime of paying taxes."

Northport resident Bruno Leporati said that the proposed legislation sounds like a smart plan, but he worries that many hedge fund managers are getting paid unreasonable bonuses, while seniors are struggling.

"I am also concerned that Social Security funds will dry up and then what will be for our children?" Leporati said.

Israel explained that by 2080 Social Security funds will be dangerously depleted, but he said we have time to work on it. There is a plan in Washington introduced by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) to change how Social Security runs, according to Israel.

"Ryan wants to divert a portion of everyone's FICA taxes and have it put into Wall Street private accounts," Israel said. "This would make Social Security a privatized plan and hand it over to Wall Street after they were just bailed out with your tax dollars. Social Security benefits are not meant to enrich Wall Street; it is meant for your retirement."

Israel said Ryan also proposed changing Medicare from an entitlement for seniors to a voucher system. He explained that instead of doctor bills being paid, you would get a voucher to purchase private insurance.

"This is not a good plan," Israel said. "The voucher would be worth $7,900 and the required insurance would cost $10,800 and seniors would pay the yearly $2,900 difference. How is this affordable? We have to tighten our belts in Washington and get debt and deficits under control, but not on the backs of senior citizens and veterans."