Social Security, Medicare Changes

Re “Daring to Touch a Sacred Cow,” editorial, Sept. 28: If in “fact” the analysis shows that the current method of calculating the consumer price index is approximately 1 percentage point greater than a more rational approach to calculating the CPI, why not just change to the more rational and more representative approach and save $200-plus billion in seven years? Few if any will buy into the continuation of the present method of calculating the CPI and then subtracting 1 percentage point. Fix the CPI!

By the way, even though I am drawing Social Security, I think the idea is sound and equitable. I am sure that if it was the other way around and the CPI was being understated, I would be demanding a change in the CPI, not the COLA.

ROBERT MILTON

Corona del Mar

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* The proposed change in the cost-of-living raises for Social Security recipients, for military pensioners and civil service retirees that you suggest may be very good. However, linking Social Security savings that would result in budget savings is not valid. Social Security is not a part of the annual federal budget.

MILTON RUDERMAN

Woodland Hills

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* Where is honesty by the Congress? The proposed increase in Medicare Part B “premiums” are actually a cut in the Social Security benefit. The funds are pulled from the Social Security pension and sent directly to the general fund, not to the Medicare trust fund. It is obvious to Americans that the so-called Part B Medicare “premiums” have been helping the federal deficit instead of the Medicare trust fund.

Yes, there is a connection between the increase in Part B premiums and the Republicans’ tax cut. Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) reported that “a likely compromise would be a smaller tax cut in exchange for less severe reductions in the growth of Medicare and Medicaid” (Oct. 2).

Transferring Social Security funds to the general fund and calling it “Medicare premiums” is fraud. This is violation of trust funds, and misappropriation of funds by Congress. It is this dishonesty by governmental officials that frightens me. Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) owes his power to a small district in Georgia repeatedly electing him. Such power by seniority from a small number of people bypasses equal representation in governmental power.

CAROL CLEVER

Torrance

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* The crisis is not Medicare going broke but understanding the distractions by people whose sole objective is to destroy this needed great program. Medicare is not charity, but health insurance paid for by its recipients. Every decade or two the program needs to be evaluated and adjustments made as to it--funding, care, expenses, etc. The Republicans, who at its inception tried to kill the Medicare program, now trying to save it is like permitting the fox to protect the chicken coop.

The crisis lies in health care delivery for the rest of the American people. With millions of people without health insurance, counties and cities like L.A., New York, Chicago and many others are struggling to serve their poor without medical insurance.

The major industrial powers in both the Western and Eastern worlds have comprehensive universal health care (including Canada). Gingrich maintains “America has the best medical care in the world.” One wonders in what fantasy world he lives in.

ELI CHEZAR

La Mirada