Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) hosted a conference call with community members from Northwest Washington. Members from local hospitals, seniors groups and medical organizations joined the call to share their concerns about the future of Medicare and ask Rep. Larsen questions about the impact of the Republican Medicare plan.

“It is clear that local health care leaders share my concern that seniors cannot afford the Republican plan for Medicare that will eliminate this critical benefit as we know it.

“In the 2nd District of Washington state, 97 percent of seniors have Medicare, Medicaid or both and nearly 50 percent of seniors’ household income in the 2nd District is from Social Security. We need to be fighting to ensure seniors get the quality care they need and the guaranteed benefits they have earned not burdening them with costs they cannot afford during these tough economic times.

“To illustrate how devastating this proposal would be on local seniors: 25% of seniors in Whatcom County get 100% of their income from Social Security, which averages about $1000 per month. Currently, this population spends about $300 per month on healthcare costs. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, these out-of-pocket costs would more than double under the Republican budget proposal. This is unacceptable for seniors in the region.

“I support the reforms we have already made to Medicare that saves taxpayer money while improving care to seniors without cutting care to seniors. The new Republican plan shifts costs to seniors and eliminates Medicare.”

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