In Kingston, Casey hears concerns about Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid

Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA)

Feb. 23--KINGSTON -- Max Benjamin believes most senior citizens are concerned about the future of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

That's why U.S. Sen. Bob Casey told Benjamin and about 60 other senior citizens Wednesday that he "will fight like hell" for them.

Casey stopped by the Kingston Active Adult Center to talk about access to health care for older residents.

Though he pledged he was on their side, Janet Lucarelli of Kingston wasn't so sure about what Pennsylvania's senior senator would actually be able to accomplish.

"He said nothing," Lucarelli said of Casey, D-Scranton. "We'll see if he will fight for us. I'm sure he and all the members of Congress got their raises, but the little guys, like us, we got nothing."

But Benjamin believes Casey will do what he can to keep Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security intact.

"We're all concerned," Benjamin said as he waited his turn to speak to Casey. "The Republicans control Congress and the White House now."

Casey made that point during his 15-minute speech.

With the help of the Area Agency on Aging of Luzerne and Wyoming Counties, Casey and Wilkes University School of Pharmacy faculty and students provided medication reviews for those in attendance. Casey said as a result of the Affordable Care Act, Pennsylvanians on Medicare have saved nearly $1.3 billion on their prescription drugs. The prescription drug coverage gap -- known as the "doughnut hole" -- has been eliminated, he noted.

Casey said a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, would deprive 20 million Americans of coverage and raise the cost of prescription drugs for seniors by reopening the "doughnut hole" -- the gap that has to be filled by a senior to pay for prescription drugs.

"We don't want a new health care bill to change that," Casey said.

Casey has opposed making Medicaid a block grant program, which he said would adversely impact nursing home care for 250,000 seniors in Pennsylvania and 6.4 million nationally. The shift would also jeopardize support for millions of babies because Medicaid finances approximately half of all the nation's births, Casey said.

The lawmaker expects "a rough, tough fight" in Congress on the issues that impact senior citizens.

"If they want a fight, I'm ready to fight," he said.

'Important moment'

While prescription medication questions were on the minds of some, the first question directed at Casey dealt with the future of Social Security. The man, who declined to give his name, said Congress has been taking money out of Social Security that has not been re-paid.

"And we never get a raise," the man said.

In response, Casey said he has helped to introduce the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act that allows Medicare payments to cover health care services such as wellness screenings, immunizations and diabetes management.

Casey said he has several concerns with the state of Congress and the future of programs that help Pennsylvanians, especially senior citizens and children with disabilities.

In the past, with a Republican-controlled Congress, he said President Barack Obama, a Democrat, would not sign some of proposed health-care changes into law.

"Let's say they are successful and repeal the Affordable Care Act," Casey said. "What will replace it? This is an important moment for the country."

Casey said trying to protect programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is becoming increasingly difficult, now that President Donald Trump, a Republican, is in office.

"It's a challenge," Casey said. "We have to fight."

He urged people to contact their federal elected officials. He also expressed slight optimism Trump will keep his campaign promises of protecting the programs important to seniors.

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