Five incumbent Democrats say they will seek re-election in Middlesex County this year. Sheriff Joseph Spicuzzo, County Clerk Elaine Flynn, and Freeholders Christopher Rafano, Stephen “Pete” Dalina, and Blanquita Valenti said they will seek the Middlesex County Democratic Organization’s endorsement at its convention in March.
Despite Washington’s repeated claims that Medicare beneficiaries won’t see any cuts in their benefits, Robert Moffit points out that the health legislation in Congress has the program in its sites. Medicare Advantage, which is used by nearly one in four senior citizens on Medicare, is a system of private plans that beneficiaries can choose from to receive additional services. While private plans in Medicare Advantage get more payments than traditional Medicare, those payments mean more benefits covered for seniors like preventive screening, routine eye and hearing tests, additional hospitalization and nursing care.
The Congressional Budget Office director contradicted the White House by testifying that Medicare benefits will be cut, meaning seniors will have fewer private options for their health care needs. If Congress is going to secure any “savings” in Medicare, they should go back into making the program sustainable — not as a financing mechanism for expanded government-run health care.