Des Moines, Iowa – According to a new report released by the AFL-CIO, over one half million Iowans could be negatively impacted if Congress attempts cuts to Social Security, including 71,000 people with disabilities. Of the Iowans who get their health care coverage from Medicaid, 250,287 children and 42,978 seniors could be affected if the lame duck Congress makes cuts to Medicaid benefits. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid combined deliver $15 billion per year into Iowa’s economy.
As the so-called “fiscal cliff” approaches, members of Congress have suggested cuts to benefits for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid even while calling for renewing tax cuts for the richest 2%. The 2012 House Republican budget plan would cut federal support to Iowa’s Medicaid program by at least $9.8 billion (23%) over 10 years.
Iowa working families have been mobilizing around the Lame Duck session and will continue calling on Congress to end tax cuts for the richest 2% and to say no to cuts to benefits for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
Charlie Wishman, Secretary/Treasurer of the Iowa Federation of Labor and other working family advocates headed to Washington, D.C. on November 27 to lobby Iowa’s Congressmen on how cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security will hurt families in Iowa. The lobby fly-in day coincides with a new report released by the AFL-CIO showing over a half million Iowa working families would be affected by cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
“We need to protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security benefits and other important programs that support our working families,” said Charlie Wishman, Secretary/Treasurer of the Iowa Federation of Labor. “Retirees, people with disabilities and children shouldn’t have to suffer because some in Congress want to give more tax breaks to the richest 2%. It’s time for the richest 2% to pay their fair share and for our elected officials to strengthen programs that create jobs and rebuild the middle class.”
The only way to solve the fiscal crisis is to have one retirement program and one medical program that everyone has to be part of. Gov employees can not opt out and will have to be in the same class as tax payers. This will save millions in taxes and provide equality. It will end the rape of the working people by the government and it’s employees. If gov employees retire at 55 with 75K pension and free medical then the people that pay for it should also have the same benefits. END OF STORY!