Eleven people stood for an hour July 30 in heat that increased from 95 degrees to 97 degrees celebrating Medicare’s 60th anniversary, which we have and pay for (in our working lives and in retirement) while supporting its continuation.
For those who are not aware, Medicare is not a free offering to us. Thank you for these supporters’ holding signs in the heat for the public to witness the celebration.
An older white-haired woman drove past shaking her head no. I bet she is sucking up Medicare benefits and perhaps Medicaid, yet saying no to the birthday/anniversary event. Is she willing to forfeit her benefit? A not-young man threw up two middle fingers as he drove past in his large pickup truck. A young man hollered “Trump!” Some young man hollered in support of us and some had opposition. Will the older man and younger men in opposition not take Medicare when they retire? If you do not support this crucial medical care, why would you accept it? Why would you oppose medical care for retirees who have paid and continue paying for it?
We were out there celebrating Medicare and what it provides to retired citizens. Without this coverage, it would be extremely difficult to receive care when the average Social Security check is less than $23,000 a year. Out of those checks, retirees have to pay monthly for Medicare benefits, which are a small part of health care with supplemental plans that have to be bought unless they are poor and have Medicaid. Retirees are not on a free ride through retirement years; it is a costly trip. Let us not lose Medicare, which is a prevalent part of retirement.
Happy anniversary, Medicare!
Kath Allen
Peterborough