Retiree Urges Congress to Protect Medicare and Medicaid from Cuts

Budget Bill Sparks Concern Over Potential Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid

Jeff Birttnen, serving as the chair of the national AFSCME Retiree Council and president of AFSCME Retirees Chapter 565, is deeply attuned to the anxiety the proposed federal budget bill is causing among senior citizens. His recent visit to Capitol Hill was aimed at advocating for the protection of crucial programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

With the budget bill now under Senate consideration after passing the House, Birttnen's mission takes on added urgency. During his Capitol Hill meetings, including one with the staff of House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Birttnen emphasized the need to oppose cuts to public services embedded in the bill.

Birttnen stressed the importance of personal engagement, stating, “It’s important for them to hear me in person. If they’ve got a face sitting in front of them, they can see that it’s personal. … But this isn’t just about me. These cuts affect everyone. This is about all the employees of the nursing homes, the physicians, the people and the patients there.”

One of the primary concerns is the bill's implications for Medicare, which faces a proposed $500 billion reduction. As a cancer survivor, 76-year-old Birttnen attributes his financial stability to Medicare, which covered the majority of his $88,000 treatment costs this year.

Reductions in Medicaid also loom large for seniors, especially considering that nearly 1.2 million Minnesotans are enrolled in the program, including significant numbers of children, rural residents, and those with chronic conditions.

Medicaid's role is critical, covering 34% of births and more than half of nursing home residents, underscoring the potential impact on seniors if these cuts proceed. Birttnen, with a background as an eligibility specialist, has extensive experience assisting vulnerable populations in accessing Medicaid and SNAP benefits.

Currently, Birttnen supports retired public service workers across the nation, helping them navigate retirement options and Medicare. His Capitol Hill advocacy highlighted the risks that the budget bill poses, particularly for states, families, and retirees.

Birttnen articulated the severe consequences of stripping away social safety nets, suggesting that such actions amount to a life-or-death gamble for millions. The potential suffering imposed by these cuts, he argued, is unjustifiable when weighed against tax reductions for the wealthy.