On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law legislation that established the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Are you or someone in your family receiving Medicare benefits? If so, you are among many others currently benefitting from this program. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) projects that health care costs will keep rising above the rate of inflation.
Your vote in the November election could help to determine whether you or your family and friends face increased costs for Medicare and reduced benefits. Neither U. S. Senators Burr nor Tillis are up for election this year but all U. S. House of Representatives are up for election or re-election. In our district, incumbent Mark Meadows is being opposed by Phillip Price.
In a recent AARP Bulletin, four questions for candidates about Medicare were listed. They are:
- Do you believe Medicare should be cut as a way to reduce the budget deficit?
- Do you favor converting Medicare to a voucher program?
- What changes would you make to ensure that individuals continue to get promised benefits?
- Do you support expanding coverage to include hearing, vision and dental care?
The candidates for Congress are deeply divided on the question of Medicare benefits and costs. Ask Meadows and Price the above questions. Please consider carefully which one represents what is best for your family and how you and your family might be affected by increased costs and reduced benefits.
Mary A. Herr
Cherokee, NC
