WILKES-BARRE — Max Richtman, who is the President of National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, led a panel discussion with U.S. Sen. Bob Casey in Downtown Wilkes-Barre to discuss a topic that is very important to older people.
The discussion focused on reducing expenses and safeguarding Social Security and Medicare, with local older people as well as Richtman and Casey.
Richtman has given his support to Sen. Casey for re-election on behalf of the NCPSSM. Casey will be up against Republican challenger Dave McCormick in the November General Election.
“When we endorse a candidate, it’s not just because we like them as a person,” Richtman said. “We have a scorecard and we issue a score every two years on (member’s) votes — (Sen. Casey) has a 100% score.”
The discussion focused on:
• Reducing expenses, including the cost of prescription drugs and the impact of reducing the cost of insulin through the IRA provision.
• The status of home healthcare and necessary enhancements.
• Disability benefits.
• Safeguarding and enhancing Social Security and Medicare.
Participants included caretakers, former healthcare professionals, and insurance representatives, as well as current and former patients who shared their personal and professional experiences with these issues.
Participants included:
• Sen. Bob Casey
• Max Richtman, President of National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare
• Antonino (Tony) Perzia, Luzerne County Senior
• Audrey Serniak, Luzerne County Senior
• Denise Parashac, Luzerne County Senior
• Kathleen Hannon, Luzerne County Senior
• Maureen Riley, Luzerne County Senior
• Roxanne Rembis, Luzerne County Senior
• Victoria (Tori) Dunbar, Luzerne County Senior
Sen. Casey stated that he believes all elderly Americans have the right to age with dignity and financial stability in the environment of their choice.
He expressed his commitment to protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare, eliminating age discrimination in the workplace, and ensuring that Medicaid’s long-term services and supports are accessible to all older people who require them.
“Older Americans fought our wars, taught our children, worked in our factories and helped build our middle class,” Casey said. “It is our sacred duty to care for the generations that came before us.”
Regarding the 2024 campaign against McCormick, Casey stated, “My opponent and I don’t agree on any of these issues. “I have to defeat him, and I will defeat him.”
