Dr. Bob Lorinser was in town June 6 to talk about critical issues facing Dickinson County elders–the survival of Social Security and Medicare. For the 24% of county residents 65 and older, this is vital.

Social Security and Medicare are facing challenges. Under current laws Social Security will exhaust its trust funds by 2033 and unless Congress fixes it, benefits will be cut by 23% Many Republicans want to increase retirement age to 70. Democrats want to increase funds to pay for Social Security. Some want a combination of the solutions. Medicare spending is expected to double in the next 10 years. To fix the Medicare Hospital Trust Fund, the government could raise the percentage of salary workers’ pay, cut Medicare Part A by 16.9% or enact Medicare for All, publicly funded not-for-profit universal health care for all Americans.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget put out a “do it yourself” debt fixer to help understand how the national debt and deficit could be fixed. Try it. https://www.crfb.oprg/debtfixer. Dr. Bob supports Medicare for All. He understands that health care is a right.

U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, not so much. His recent mailing failed to mention he voted against reducing insulin costs (HR 6833). He voted against making baby formula available (HR 7790). He voted against the Mental Health Matters Act (HR 7780). He voted against the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. He also voted against the Consumer Price Gouging Protection Act (HR 7688). He supports profiteers, price gougers and the greedy. So the work of saving Social Security and Medicare is not something we should entrust to Jack Bergman.

We should thank Dr. Bob Lorinser, physician, diplomat and candidate in Michigan’s 1st Congressional District for U.S. Representative for his presentation on Social Security, Medicare and national debt. It was even-handed, comprehensive and understandable. Dr. Bob was here for us.