Massachusetts seniors and workers rally against cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid

From the packed Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre in Boston, Sue Rummel of Danvers exclaimed, "I can't afford any cuts to my benefits!"  The 64-year-old AARP member who is self-employed and still working, added her voice to thousands of others saying, "Stop the Cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid!"  More than 2,000 seniors and workers attended today's rally to put pressure on the congressional Super Committee, which is charged with reducing the federal deficit by $1.2 trillion over ten years.  Massachusetts Senator John Kerry is part of the 12-member, bipartisan group.

"Medicare and Social Security aren't luxuries; they aren't fat to be trimmed," said Deborah Banda, state director of AARP Massachusetts, addressing the rally participants.  "These benefits are the backbone of support that allows older Americans to live with a modest level of dignity and peace of mind in retirement – benefits earned through a lifetime of hard work.

"We all know difficult decisions must be made to get the federal deficit under control," Banda added, "We all love this country and we want to get the economy back on track.  But, let's cut waste and close billions in tax loopholes; that's what the Super Committee and Congress should be looking at, not targeting your hard earned benefits."  AARP represents more than 800,000 members age 50 and older in the commonwealth.

The Super Committee is considering cuts to both Social Security and Medicare that would hurt today's seniors and workers.  One proposal would cut Social Security by $112 billion by changing the way the cost of living adjustment is calculated.  Banda explained, "The new formula would assume consumers will substitute lower cost items when the cost of what they normally buy goes up.  But, seniors use their benefit check for essentials, things that aren't open to substitution, like heat and electricity, food, prescription drugs and health care."

Another proposal would raise Medicare's eligibility age from 65 to 67; this would increase premiums for young retirees – forcing them to pay over $2,000 more per year for health care – and also for seniors already in Medicare because the insurance pool would be more costly.

In sharing her story, Rummel defended her "no cuts" message to the Super Committee, "I'm still paying for my own health insurance, and am just hanging on until I turn 65 and can start Medicare.  My business was crushed by the bad economy.  I've used up my savings, cashed out my IRA, and was forced to take Social Security at 62.  I paid into the system my entire working life to earn my Medicare and Social Security benefits.  I can't afford any cuts!"

Mark Walker, 58, of North Andover agreed.  Speaking at the rally, he said, "I have Spina Bifida.  I worked for 14 years at a local hospital, and for four years after that at IBM.  My health condition got worse, and I couldn't work as much.  But I paid into the system, and today Social Security is my only source of income.  It's my livelihood.  It's all I've got.  It allows me to function.  I couldn't pay my bills if I didn't have it.  I'd be basically destitute."

Many seniors in attendance echoed this statement.  Banda observed, "With dwindling pensions, dramatic losses in retirement savings, declining home values and rising health care costs, Social Security and Medicare serve as lifelines to millions of people.

"You're not a budget number.  You're not a spreadsheet.  And, you're certainly not a bunch of pushovers.  We must make the politicians in Washington see that.  We must send a simple message: No cuts to Social Security and Medicare.  Protect these programs – not just for seniors – but for all American workers, and for their children and grandchildren, too."

Today, about a million Massachusetts residents rely on Social Security and Medicare. The average Social Security benefit for middle and lower income Bay State seniors is $13,900, while their average out-of-pocket cost for health care is $6,800.

The rally, which was supported by about 80 organizations including AARP, concluded with a caravan of more than 40 buses rolling through the streets of Boston, driving past the offices of Sen. Kerry and Sen. Scott Brown. There, AARP member Jane Ahern-DeFillipi joined a small group of activists to deliver thousands of letters to the senators' staff – all from seniors and workers, saying, "No cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid." 

The Super Committee must deliver its recommendations to Congress by November 23.