Seniors hurt by recent legislation
As a senior citizen I am very upset at the goings on in Congress
Obama and the Democrats in Congress recently approved a 2% salary increase for all federal employees effective January 1, 2010. However, senior citizens will not get any COLA (cost of living allowance) increases in their social security checks, for at lease the next 2 to 3 years. Is that fair?
There has been a COLA increase, every year since 1975 and in 2009 it was 5.9%, however, Obama and the democrats will not allow an increase in the social security COLA payments for 2010 or 2011. In fact, The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation predicts there may not be any COLA for the next three years. ??In addition, for 27% of the senior citizens, the per person monthly Medicare insurance premium will be increased from the 2009 premium of $96.40 to $104.20 in 2010 and to $120.20 for the year 2011.
On top of this, the Democrats in Congress are cutting Medicare by $416 billion in the health care bill. This will result in the reduction of subsidies to private Medicare plans as well as payments to hospitals, hospices, home health agencies and other providers. Seniors will pay more and get less health care and get no increase in their Social Security checks.
How come there’s money to bail out banks & car companies but not for us seniors who have spent our whole lives helping build this great country?
All senior citizens need to make it a point, do not vote for any incumbent senator or representative next fall if they voted for any of these bills. They have been in Washington too long and don’t listen to the people any more.
Miller is a Towner
resident.