March 21 was no ordinary day for seniors in this country.

On March 20, the House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 221-207, the Paul Ryan budget to put Medicare seniors on the path for a voucher plan.

The next day, an amendment by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., passed overwhelmingly, 96-3, against replacing Medicare’s current benefits with voucher plan proposals in the House GOP.

Those who opposed were Republican senators, Rand Paul, of Kentucky, Ted Cruz, of Texas, and Mike Lee, of Utah.

Seniors and their families need to continue to be vigilant because ultimately some families will be responsible in decisions involving aging parents.

Vouchers would make seniors more dependent on their children, while Medicare benefits remaining in place will help seniors the most, without insurance companies calling the shots.

Joan Gilbert-Croteau

Skowhegan