Are seniors being taken for a ride?

In August our government announced the policy regarding H1N1 vaccinations. This new policy which is now in effect does not provide shots for those in the 64 and older age group because the government says they are less likely to contract the disease. I believe this was one of the first barrages of the Obama led government on senior citizens that reflects a utilitarian philosophy that attempts to make judgments about the value of human life.

The Oct. 31 Daily Herald included a story of three deaths in Lake County to H1N1 - two of these individuals were over 64. This makes one wonder, was the decision to exclude those 64 and over a wise decision? In all past flu epidemics, the elderly were looked at as a very vulnerable group as were others with secondary life threatening health conditions. Could we have been so wrong in the past, or could we be wrong in the present?

It may be true that seniors are less likely to get the H1N1 virus, but those over 64 may be more likely to die from the virus than those in younger age groups because of underlying infirmities. Is there something more sinister in all this?

Consider the following facts: As part of proposals for a new health care bill, we are told that money will be saved by reducing Medicare payments. Seniors have recently been told that they will not for the first time receive Social Security increases because the cost of living has not gone up. Can anyone believe that the cost of living has not gone up, or are figures being manipulated to cut more money from senior benefits?

Thomas A. Smith

Naperville