Roberta Tripp & Ann Wallace of Mattapoisett

     Over 2,200 supporters flooded the Wang Center last week to voice their concerns on the potential cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, echoing that these cuts would be devastating for those who depend on this assistance. Supporters from Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, and Maine arrived in over 40 buses to have their voices heard.

     Herb Ollivierre, long time elderly advocate from New Bedford, said he wanted to be a part of this rally because Congress needs to be aware that folks won’t sit back on their laurels and allow a cut that would target their hard-earned benefits.

     “Why should we give up what we have worked hard for our whole lives? Seniors depend on these benefits for essentials,” said Ollivierre. “We have sacrificed enough and we say cut wasteful spending, but not programs and services that protect the rights of elders to live in dignity.”

     The rally was sponsored by more than 30 labor unions, members of Mass Senior Action Council, AARP, Mass Home Care, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and many other organizations. These players were the driving force that brought all these people together, noted Daria Gere, coordinator for the Bristol County Chapter of Mass Senior Action Council.

     “It was great to see those seniors and others who turned out in full force to let the Super Committee [US  Congress Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction] know to stop these federal cuts,” said Gere. “It was important for them to take a stand and remind Congress that preservation of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is the engine that helps to keep us afloat.”

     According to AARP Public Policy Institute 2011, 88.9% of Massachusetts seniors, or 805,400 received Social Security in 2010. Medicare spent $10.87 billion on health care services in Massachusetts in 2010, and 1 out of 6 Massachusetts residents received Medicaid benefits in 2010. This Super Committee, comprised of six Congressman and six Senators, was given the task of trimming $1.2 trillion over ten years and bringing the federal deficit under control. One proposal would cut Social Security by $112 billion by changing the way the cost of living adjustment is calculated.

     “This is a crime against our elders and disabled, and we cannot stand by and allow this to happen,” said another advocate, George Smith (who also serves on our board of directors). Smith said he was very impressed with the great stand of unity and support from so many at the rally, and he commended those for rolling the rally to the offices of US Senators Scott Brown and John Kerry.

     “For many of our seniors and disabled, that Social Security check is the only check they will receive each month. We must stop the attack and say no cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid,” Smith said.