Our Collective ‘Senior Moment’

Healthcare for seniors has gained a lot of national attention recently as President Obama announced a new program that will extend Medicare funds to 2029. This estimate is 12 years longer than previously expected which can mean a lot for the aging Baby Boomer population. Along with an increased life expectancy for these funds, there has also been the promise of free preventative care for seniors such as annual exams and physicals. I love this idea.

It’s good to see the government taking more responsibility to look out for the health of our senior citizens. The longer Medicare can last, the more hope there is that further measures will be taken to provide low-cost healthcare for seniors. The possibility of free exams and physicals would be a blessing for many seniors who otherwise might not be able to pay for these tests themselves. 

But while this may all sound like good news for seniors, it has also been brought to light that Social Security funds have reached a deficit for the first time since its beginning. As a result of the recession, it will be harder to recover funds as more Baby Boomers retire and stop contributing to the program. President Obama said as recently as today (August 18) that Social Security is not in crisis and only requires some minor tweaking to keep it solvent. I believe that is true, but we’ve also heard that before.  We should stop kicking this can down the road.  I don’t think the GOPs scare tactics about Social Security “going away” are helpful either, nor their campaign theme of giving Social Security a major overhaul–seniors do not react favorably to change so this is not a great political move, in my humble opinion.

Unfortunately, decisions are being made on behalf of seniors for political expediency and to score points in the coming election; not based on what is best for them.  But seniors have a very powerful card up their sleeve.  What can we do to make sure that such vital programs including medicare, medicaid and Social Security don’t run out? Keep contacting your local politicians and make sure to vote at every opportunity. Public pressure works. Politicians are more afraid of seniors than they are of them.  Why?  Because seniors vote! 

Here’s how to find and write your congressional representative now.  Click on this link:  https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Rona