June 28, 2000
Two Democratic Candidates Say No to Privatization of Medicare, Social Security
By DAN TUOHY N.H. Statehouse Writer
CONCORD - Democratic candidates for Congress Martha Fuller Clark and Barney Brannen pledged Tuesday to oppose privatization of the Social Security and Medicare programs.
The nonpartisan group New Hampshire Asks wants Republican candidates to take the pledge as well, but 1st District U.S. Rep. John E. Sununu, R-Bedford, and 2nd District U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass, R-Peterborough, have yet to respond to requests, said Stephen Gorin, chairman of New Hampshire Asks. "I'm not willing to put either of these programs at risk," said Clark, a state representative from Portsmouth who is running against Sununu. Clark criticized Sununu for backing "carve-outs" of the Social Security system and she questioned the incumbent's support for elderly services. She said Congress must strengthen the Medicare system to make it more effective for people aged 55 to 65. She added that she is concerned about women who are widowed and cannot access Medicare benefits until their later years. Brannen, a Nashua resident running against Bass, said the structure of the Social Security system must be reinforced to protect the program for future generations. He said the same goes with Medicare. No one should have to choose between putting food on the table or paying for a supply of medications, he said.
"Social Security and Medicare are sacred trusts," Brannen said, calling on Bass to sign the New Hampshire Asks pledge.
New Hampshire Asks is a coalition of labor, consumer, and professional organizations. The group's pledge opposes replacing Social Security's guaranteed benefits with private investment accounts. The pledge includes blocking efforts to reduce Social Security, survivor and disability benefits; cut annual cost-of-living benefits; and increase the retirement age.
Clark and Brannen, as part of their commitment, said they will oppose efforts to turn Medicare into a voucher system or force beneficiaries into managed care plans. A third part of the pledge calls on their support of any measures to lower poverty rates among elderly women by increasing their Social Security benefits.
------------------------ Tom Lehman