Cutting Surtax on Medicare

According to the article, I am one of the “affluent elderly.” That’s news to me. Elderly, OK, but “affluent”? I wish I had the income to match the appellation.

Only due to a lifetime of prudence have I achieved “comfortable.” Now, in spite of “no new taxes,” the catastrophic health care surtax wipes out, to the penny, my state teacher’s retirement cost of living raise for this year. Add to that the rise in Medicare Part B premium as well as the sharp rise in medi-gap supplemental insurance, and more to come yearly, how much longer will “comfortable” apply?

The catastrophic coverage is a catastrophe for some of us. The percentage who will benefit from it is minuscule.

If I were “affluent” I wouldn’t be writing this letter. I would gladly pay up and shut up.

BERNICE C. NOSSOFF

Whittier