Advocate says health reform would strengthen Medicare

By Mark Bashore, WKAR News

GRAND LEDGE, MI – A national Medicare advocate says federal health care reform would strengthen the program. Max Richtman is an executive with the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. He says there's a misperception that reform would reduce benefits for seniors:

"Actually it's just the opposite," he says. "Without health care reform, seniors on Medicare are going to suffer. They're gonna pay more for their deductibles, premiums, co-payments they're gonna get less care "

Richtman says reform would help control medical costs, which is essential to the viability of Medicare. He joined Democratic Congressman Mark Schauer Friday on a visit to a Grand Ledge senior citizens home. The pair took questions from supporters and opponents of reform proposals being debated in Washington.