The Fiscal Cliff: What Deal Would You Cut?

Massachusetts Democrats in Congress want to avoid cuts in benefits as part of any deal, but proposals such as raising the eligibility age for Medicare are still on the table. What would you do?

As Congress negotiates a deal to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff" on Jan. 1, Massachusetts' congressional representatives have voiced their opposition to any cuts in benefits such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the Boston Globe reports. However, there are proposals still on the table that would change those benefit programs, including linking Social Security benefits to a more conservative inflation index that would slightly reduce annual increases, or raising the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 67. The Globe reported that while the Bay State's legislators were united against changes to Social Security, there's some wiggle room on Medicare. Rep. Ed Markey opposes raising the Medicare eligibility age; Rep. Michael …

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Quote of the Week

Arguing Against Medicare Cost-Shifting

Congresswoman Niki Tsongas spoke out against a GOP plan to shift Medicare costs.

Real deficit reduction will require a blend of spending reductions, new revenue, and additional reforms to control rising health care costs. But simply shifting those costs onto seniors by eliminating Medicare will prove as unsustainable for our nation’s well-being as the current budget crisis we face. -- U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell Tsongas made the comment in an op-ed earlier this week about a GOP plan to shift Medicare costs.

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GOP Medicare Plan 'Unsustainable' For Seniors, Says Tsongas

The congresswoman says a Republican budget plan to shift Medicare costs will be unsustainable for seniors.

The following was submitted by U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell. Her district includes Westford. I recently heard from a constituent from Haverhill named Phil Gelinas who relies on Medicare for his health coverage. His wife’s diabetes treatment and prescription drugs are also covered through Medicare and they have both paid into Medicare all their lives through payroll deductions. He remarked to my office that there was no way that they could meet the cost of health care today without Medicare. He and his wife are not alone. Each day thousands of seniors like the Gelinas use Medicare to cover the costs of doctor’s appointments, prescription drugs, as well as routine tests and treatments.  Seniors have the peace of mind knowing that a …

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