To the Editor:

As a physician approaching my retirement years, I have seen firsthand the significance of Medicare for retirees. Granite State seniors have worked hard their entire lives to earn the Social Security and Medicare benefits that they receive today, and our elected officials have a responsibility to preserve the promises that were made to them.

I am disappointed to discover that Sen. Kelly Ayotte has repeatedly voted against protections for Social Security and Medicare.

One of Ayotte’s first votes was for the 2011 Ryan budget bill which called for replacing Medicare with a voucher system. According to the Wall Street Journal, it would "essentially end Medicare" in its current form. AARP said it would "increase costs for beneficiaries while removing Medicare’s promise of secure health coverage," and nonetheless, Ayotte voted to approve.

When it comes to fighting for New Hampshire’s seniors, the proof is in the votes, and Sen.Ayotte voted against our seniors when we needed her most. Granite Stater’s deserve a senator who will stand up for them and protect their earned benefits. Gov. Maggie Hassan, was proudly endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, who proclaimed "they were proud to endorse Gov. Maggie Hassan for Senate, because we know she will fight to protect benefits for seniors." Gov. Hassan as our senator will fight – and vote – to protect New Hampshire seniors, and I will vote for her on Election Day.

Wayne Goldner MD

Bedford