I am alarmed about what I hear concerning Medicare, and I hope that our elected office holders in Washington are going to fight proposals that would affect seniors’ benefits.

I worked hard for over 40 years and paid into Medicare just like all my co-workers and friends. To hear that leaders in Congress are considering substantial changes that could create a risky voucher structure is unsettling and disturbing.

Now in my 60s, I depend on Medicare, as I knew I would. I never minded paying into the program with each paycheck because I knew that when it was my turn to need health care, I wouldn’t have to worry. Now I am worried. My friends and family are worried, and we shouldn’t have to be.

Medicare has been helping seniors cover necessary medical costs since 1965, and this is no time to make drastic changes. Has Congress asked for input from those of us who rely on the program? Of course not. And that’s part of the problem. We need Congress to hear us and understand that they must not break a promise.

The next congressional recess is coming up the week of Feb. 20, and our U.S. senators and representatives will be here in Maine. I urge anyone reading this to contact them and let them know how you feel about the proposed changes to Medicare.

Call them, or better yet, pay a visit. They need to hear how much we rely on our Medicare benefits so they’ll fight against these bad proposals back in Washington.

Jeff Fowler
Buxton

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