Peggy Brown quit her job two years ago when emphysema, congestive heart failure and other problems made it impossible to work. She lives on disability income of less than $6,000 a year.

Next year, at age 65, her health care will be covered under Medicare. But if Congress forges ahead with plans to trim the program, Brown said, it will be writing her death sentence. ''You might as well call Dr. Kevorkian,'' she added.

Brown and others living at the Westward Ho, a downtown housing development for low-income seniors and disabled people, on Wednesday joined a protest of the proposed Medicare cuts.

Others upset about the cuts included representatives from the Area Agency on Aging, the Beatitudes Center for Developing Older Adult Resources, the United Way, the Foundation for Senior Living, the Salvation Army, the Children's Action Alliance and the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.

Hayworth said seniors like Brown will not go without care or have to pay more and will have more options, such as joining a health-maintenance organization or participating in a medical savings plan for their care. ''We are talking about restraining spending and at the same time providing other options,'' he said.

Hayworth said that if Congress does nothing, Medicare will go bankrupt in seven years.

''That's the real scary thing,'' he said. ''What happens when there is nothing for seniors?''

Brown says that hearing about cuts is terrifying. ''What Congress is saying is you are old, you are no longer productive, and we are going to sign your death certificate,'' she said.