D'Amato's feet put to the fire on Medicare, Medicaid

by John Bachtell

This article was reprinted from the October 21, 1995 issue of the People's Weekly World. For subscription information see below. All rights reserved - may be used with PWW credits.

NEW YORK - A spirited picket line of over 300 trade unionists and community activists jammed the sidewalk in front of New York Sen. Alfonse D'Amato's midtown office here Oct. 11 demanding the senator end his support for the Republican Medicaid and Medicare cuts.

The demonstration, stretching the entire block, was organized by New York Jobs with Justice. D'Amato is a member of the Senate Finance Committee which is crafting the Senate version of Republican bill that would slash Medicaid and Medicare payments.

Chanting "Let's be fair to Medicaid and Medicare" and "People and Healthcare before Profits," the demonstrators voiced the growing alarm over reports that show the federal Medicare and Medicaid cuts would wipe out 140,000 hospital related jobs in the city over the next seven years. It also endangers the 78 percent of the state's 105,000 nursing home residents who rely on Medicaid to pay their bills.

"By taking $22 billion from New York in Medicaid and Medicare payments, health care in this state will be devastated," said Gene Carroll, director of New York Jobs With Justice. "We are protesting to force D'Amato and Gingrich to stop the Republican Contract."

Carroll also suggested that Staten Island Rep. Susan Molinari needs to be exposed for her support of the Contract. The New York City Central Labor Council has also initiated a campaign to pressure her to change her position.

Others marching on the picket line at D'Amato's office included members of the Teamsters Joint Council 16, UNITE, AFSCME Local 420, CWA Local 1180, 1199, CBTU, Metro New York Health Care for All Campaign, the Medicaid Managed Care Task Force, New York State Communist Party, New York State Council of Senior Citizens, Gay Men's Health Crisis, Labor Party Advocates and the Creative Coalition.

"We should be picketing the offices and even the homes of all elected officials who support the Corporate Contract on America. Their anti-people and pro-big business voting records have to be exposed and protested," said Elena Mora, New York State Communist Party organization secretary. D'Amato's telephone number is (212) 947-7390 and fax number is (202) 224-6542.