A group of Villagers threw a celebration for Medicare and Social Security on Friday morning in front of Congressman Daniel Webster’s office in The Villages to show opposition to President Trump’s proposed budget cuts.
President of Florida Alliance for Retired Americans’ North Central Florida Area Chapter Cindy Lenhart brought the cake and balloons to honor Medicare’s 52nd and Social Security’s 82nd birthdays this summer. The purpose of the celebration was to show that the two programs have been functioning well all these years, untouched.
Lenhart, and her husband Wayne, also spoke to Congressman Webster’s staffer Cindy Brown, who serves as a community relations manager, on behalf of the people concerned about the budget cuts in a private, scheduled meeting.
Members of the Villages Democratic Club also came out in support of the celebration and voiced out their concerns with the administration overall.
“We wouldn’t be able to sleep if we didn’t have our voices heard,” said Village of Dunedin resident Nicole Cooper.
Cooper, along with the handful of people who showed up, said that the celebration was to make a statement and that the fight was for future generations so that they too have proper health care and Social Security.
Other worries voiced out at the summer kick-off were the over 800 billion dollar cuts on Medicaid, cuts on Social Security’s disability benefits and the agendas of House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
“There shouldn’t be any budget cuts,” said Diane Lamontagne of the Village of Orange Blossom Gardens in regard to health care and Social Security.
The Lenhart couple eventually came out of their meeting with Brown, stating that they “had a good meeting” and that two more meetings were scheduled for July 31, Medicare’s 52nd birthday, and Aug. 14, Social Security’s birthday. Cindy stated that Brown assured the couple that Rep. Webster would “oppose changes for people already on Social Security and Medicare,” but gave them no details on “the adjustments that he mentioned.”
Cindy also mentioned that Brown would pass on the message to Rep. Webster that “those adjustments do not come on the backs of those less able to pay them.”
Cindy and Wayne suggested that raising the cap made most sense and that they do not support raising the Medicare eligibility age.
“We hope the Congressman will be there,” said Cindy who is hopeful that their positive message of support for the two programs will be delivered.
During the event, a petition went around the group to support Francine Shebell, who needs verified signatures to run for Florida House of Representatives in District 33 against Rep. Don Hahnfeldt.
