As a dedicated gerontologist, I have spent my career advocating for the health, dignity, and quality of life of older adults. But this issue is not only professional for me—it is deeply personal.

A close member of my family depends on life-saving infusion treatments covered by Medicare. These treatments are not optional; they are the reason this person is alive today. Any disruption in their care would not only shorten their life—it would significantly diminish the quality of the time they have left. Medicare is not just a program to us. It is the difference between stability and uncertainty, between life and loss.

That is why recent comments from Donald Trump suggesting he would consider defunding Social Security and Medicare to help pay for a potential war with Iran are so alarming. I have seen firsthand, both in my work and in my own family, how essential these programs are.

Social Security and Medicare are not abstract budget items—they are lifelines. Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans over 65 depend on Social Security, and more than 61 million rely on Medicare for healthcare. These are earned benefits, built over decades of hard work and contribution. I have worked with countless older adults who rely on these programs simply to survive—to afford medications, treatments, housing, and basic dignity.

Weaken these systems, and the consequences are not theoretical. People will suffer. People will lose access to critical care. And for some, like my family member, the stakes are nothing less than life itself.

We are the richest country in the world. There is no justification for asking older Americans—or their families—to sacrifice their health, security, or survival to fund military conflict. Our national priorities must reflect our values. That means protecting those who built this country, not putting them at risk.

We must act now. By signing and sharing this petition, you are sending a clear and urgent message to lawmakers and the administration: Social Security and Medicare must never be used as a funding source for war. These programs must remain protected, stable, and fully funded—for my family, for yours, and for every American who depends on them.