19th Congressional District candidates: My questions

Dear Editor, Questions I have for candidates for election in the 19th Congressional District:

Should Medicare be cut to reduce the federal deficit?

Do you favor converting Medicare to a voucher?

What changes to Medicare do you support to ensure individuals get the benefits promised when they paid in?

Do you support expanding coverage to hearing, vision and dental care?

Why do I have these concerns? The American Association of Retired Persons writes “Last year, Congress and President Trump made clear ... priorities: Cut taxes, grow defense spending, don’t worry for now about the federal deficit. Problem is Washington always comes back to worrying about the deficit and ... Medicare ... comes into its sights”.

To be fair, Democrats failed to make Republicans trim the tax cuts for the well-off, or to balance cuts by reductions for education, the environment, etc.

Due to ballooning deficits, and likely increased disaster spending as global warming worsens, Medicare is at risk.

I am in good physical and fiscal health. I can pay a bit more or receive a bit less than promised, but I want no reductions in care or increase costs for those less lucky. Neither voucher systems nor short-term, limited benefit policies to cover later start of Medicare fits that requirement. Other ideas are needed. Unless you have both a principled position supporting Medicare and practical suggestions how to maintain it, as is or better, candidates can expect me to vote for and vocally support an opponent who does. Matthew Burd New Paltz, N.Y.