Open Letter to Gus Bilirakis

Sir,

Like many here in your district, I am on Social Security and Medicare.  I would like to know what your thinking is regarding Medicare.  To that end I have several specific questions.

Question One:

What is your plan to make Medicare more affordable for older Americans and people with disabilities, half of whom earn $25,000 or less per year? In addition to affordability, what other improvements will you make to Medicare? 

Question Two:

What is your plan to strengthen Medicare’s finances?  If you had to choose between the two, would you support proposals that would increase out of pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries or proposals that would increase revenues from the wealthiest Americans? 

Question Three:

Would you support a proposal that would privatize or partially privatize the Medicare program, or change Medicare into a voucher, premium support or defined contribution plan?  

Question Four:

What is your plan to make long term care available and affordable for people who need it? Do you support cuts to Medicaid and block grants that would result in cuts to long term care services and supports and potentially longer waiting lists for services? What is your plan to make long term care services available to people in the community so they can age and/or receive treatment at home instead of an institution?

Question Five:

Do you support the full repeal of the Affordable Care Act, including the repeal of provisions that close the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap, offer certain preventive services free to Medicare beneficiaries and other provisions that improve care coordination and the quality of care that people with Medicare receive without increasing cost-sharing? 

I look forward to your thoughts on this vital topic.

Torrey Craig