Letter to the editor: Republicans' plans for Social Security, Medicare

I wish to expound on the letter “GOP and ‘fixing’ Social Security” (Feb. 10, TribLIVE). Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida has proposed a plan that would “sunset” all federal legislation in five years; “if a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again,” he said. He also said Congress would quickly renew popular programs such as Medicare and Social Security before they have a chance to sunset. Before they sunset.

So Biden wasn’t lying when he said there are members of Congress proposing sunsetting Social Security and Medicare. And we’re supposed to trust them? Yeah, OK. Trust a Congress that took four days to figure out who the speaker of the House will be. Trust a Republican Congress that has failed to present a better alternative to the Affordable Care Act … twice.

Furthermore, let’s not forget this is the same individual who, while CEO of Columbia/HCA , overbilled Medicare, Medicaid and other federal program millions of dollars — one of the biggest medical frauds in this country’s history. The company paid $1.7 billion in fines, damages and settlements. During his deposition, he took the Fifth Amendment 75 times. “If you’re innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?” Donald Trump once asked. Yeah, the guy who took the Fifth Amendment 400 times in a deposition in a civil fraud case in New York.

Republicans simply cannot be trusted. And they cannot govern — at all. Are you going to trust somebody with your Social Security/Medicare/Medicaid with that resume? I don’t. It’s time to sunset Rick Scott.

Jeffrey Hice

Penn Township, Westmoreland County