WHEREAS:
President Trump and the GOP intend to address the deficit created by their tax cuts to corporations and the 1-percent on the back of retirees and working people. The GOP intends to address the deficit by cutting Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid; and
WHEREAS:
President Trump’s fiscal year budget for 2019 would cut Medicare by $530 billion over a 10-year period, thereby harming the most vulnerable in our society, namely the elderly and disabled. At the same time, private companies will be allowed to compete with Medicare and thus initiate the privatization of the most successful medical program for retirees; and
WHEREAS:
President Trump’s budget proposal suggests draconian cuts to Medicaid by $1.5 trillion over a 10-year period. This too, would have extreme adverse financial ramifications for the elderly, disabled persons and low-income populations; and
WHEREAS:
President Trump’s budget for fiscal year 2019 also cuts Social Security by $4 billion over a 10-year period, including cuts to the Social Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs. The changes will deny unemployment compensation to certain SSDI beneficiaries and cap the amount paid to individuals who receive SSI while living with other SSI recipients, including families. These cuts are unfair because they target the underserved in this country; and
WHEREAS:
The president’s budget will also cut benefits for seniors with disabilities by limiting the retroactivity of applications for disability benefits from 12 months to 6 months resulting in a cut of SSDI benefits averaging $7,000 for beneficiaries.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will support policies and campaigns to protect and expand Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid programs, essential to protect the working poor, and for a dignified retirement for current and future generations of all working people; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME will work with political allies in Congress to make it a priority to protect, strengthen and expand Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
SUBMITTED BY:
Juan Fernandez, President and Delegate
Juliet White, Delegate
Sheera S. Glass, Delegate
Thomas Orawiec, Delegate
James Whooley, Delegate
Local 154, District Council 37
New York