Local Activist Meets with Rep. Schrader to Urge No Cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid

“I want to thank Rep. Schrader for meeting with me and pledging to fight any attempts to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid” - Gary Jelinek

Rep. Schrader, Mr. Jelinek and Heather Dierking

(SALEM, Ore.) - Gary Jelinek, a resident of Portland, Oregon, and a volunteer activist with the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, met privately with Rep. Kurt Schrader last week to discuss the importance of stopping any proposed cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as part of federal deficit reduction.

Mr. Jelinek, whose unscheduled visit to Schrader’s district office included delivering birthday greetings with an advocacy message, was welcome by Rep. Schrader into his office for a discussion. Jelinek is working with the “HANDS OFF – NO CUTS” campaign sponsored by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

Launched in September, the campaign aims to stop threatened cuts to three of the nation’s most valued income security and health insurance programs; Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Campaign activities are focused on members of Congress and the 12-member Deficit Reduction Super Committee and include local and national radio and TV advertising, town halls, social media, petition drives, phone campaigns, and local or regional events.

“I want to thank Rep. Schrader for meeting with me and pledging to fight any attempts to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid,” said Jelinek.

“I reminded Rep. Schrader that cutting the cake on your birthday is fine, but cuts to these important programs are not. We cannot allow the reneging of our social commitment to those in greatest need, no matter their age.”

The National Committee has more than 9,400 members and supporters in Rep. Schrader’s district and more than 48,000 members in the state of Oregon. For more information about the campaign in Oregon, please contact Katie Johnson at johnsonka@ncpssm.org, 1-800-998-0181 or visit our Web site at www.ncpssm.org.