Medicare needs to remain a viable option

I am writing to express my deep concern about House Republicans' vote to end Medicare (as we know it) and cut benefits that hardworking seniors have earned, while these Republicans also voted to protect tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires and big oil.

This reckless privatization scheme is an insult to every hardworking American who has paid into Medicare. Especially in these challenging times, when retired Americans rely on their Medicare benefits. Congress must do whatever it takes to protect this critical safety net. Medicare belongs to the people who worked their whole life to pay into the system. It's not the government's piggy bank to balance the budget on the back of seniors.

Why should we ask our seniors to choose between paying the heating bill and seeing a doctor while big oil companies are free to keep their huge taxpayer funding?

Seniors, our children and grandchildren deserve better than an extreme plan that will lake away seniors' basic benefits. As voters, we must urge Congress to find a common-sense solution to ensure that Medicare is viable in the years to come.

Jeannie Sieck

Toledo