Medicare is a promise that whatever health care retired individuals need will be covered at public expense. That promise must be honored, even if it means raising taxes or reducing spending in other areas. As things stand, elderly persons are paying more than ever for out-of-pocket medical expenses that are not covered by Medicare. Minor adjustments can be made to reduce the program's cost, and aggressive measures should be taken to reduce fraudulent claims. But it is immoral and unthinkable to reduce medical benefits for the nation’s seniors.