3820

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

Presently, the Health and Welfare Program which
covers railroad employees permits benefits to an employee
and his family for one additional month after his
retirement. The provisions of Medicare are not available
to persons covered by railroad retirement and Social
Security until they reach the age of 65, unless they are
totally and permanently disabled under the terms of the
Social Security Act.

In addition to the many other complex problems
facing this Nation, one of the more serious is the
rapidly escalating cost of medical care. Those persons
who do not have the advantage of coverage under Medicare,
disability, or hospital plans affording sufficient
coverage and who have the option provided to railroad
workers 60 years of age and 30 years service must make
the decision as to whether they should retire or continue
working.

The railroad industry, like most industries in this
country, furloughs employees on a seniority basis.
Therefore, unless employees meeting the criteria of age
60 and 30 years service elect to retire on full pension,
it is the younger employees who will be furloughed
because of lack of seniority and who are in a more
vulnerable position, generally speaking, because of their
age and family status.

If railroad employees age 60 and 30 years service
could be assured of coverage under the Medicare program
to avoid the crushing burdens of medical expenses which
are more prevalent among older persons, it is anticipated
they would be more likely to take advantage of the
pension benefits. This in turn would make it possible
for younger workers to achieve more seniority in line of
service and avoid being furloughed and without income;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That
the 94th Congress is requested to properly amend the
federal Medicare provisions to reduce eligibility to age
60, if an employee has accepted retirement; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to
Representative Al Ullman, Chairman of Ways and Means
Committee of the House of Representatives, Rayburn
Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; and to the following
Senators and Congressmen from the State of Maryland:
Charles McC. Mathias, Jr. and J. Glenn Beall, Jr., Senate
Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; Robert E.
Bauman, Clarence D. Long, Paul S. Sarbanes, Marjorie S.
Holt, Gladys N. Spellman, Goodloe E. Byron, Parren J.
Mitchell and Gilbert Gude, House Office Building,