Labor And Advocacy Groups Protest Proposed Entitlement Cuts

Commissioner Joe Spanik with labor and advocacy leaders in Congressman Altmire's office.

A coalition of labor unions and senior advocacy groups met in front of Congressman Jason Altmire’s Office in Aliquippa today, to rally in opposition of proposed cuts to entitlements as part of the current debt ceiling negotiations in Washington.

“We are here today to remind Congressman Altmire that any budget that jeopardizes the care of the most vulnerable members of our society, our seniors, disabled, children, and working families, is unacceptable to us” said Denise Cox, an employee at Friendship Ridge Nursing Home and Vice President of the Central Labor Council.

“The proposed cuts of $500 billion to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security will put the lives of our most vulnerable citizens at risk” she continued “Seniors and working families did not create this crisis, but the government is planning to fix the problem on the backs of seniors and the working class.”

Commissioner Joe Spanik was also present, warning people that Beaver County is already being affected by cuts made in Governor Corbett’s budget “If the Federal Government starts cutting funding to Medicare and Medicaid, it would be a one-two-punch that would force us to raise taxes locally, something people here can’t afford, something we just can’t stand by and watch happen.”

A delegation went inside of Altmire’s Office to present a statement on behalf of the group, who could later be heard chanting “Two, four, six, eight, protect the seniors in our state!”

Labor and advocacy groups rally outside of Congressman Altmire's Office.

Photographs by John Paul