You'd think that killing Medicare as we know (and love) it would require some serious open discussion. But nope, not in the brave new world the House Republicans have brought us.
Paul Ryan's proposal to force seniors to buy private health insurance that would pay an ever-decreasing share of their medical costs was announced last week. This week the House is expected to vote on a 2012 budget resolution that implements Ryan's voucher-based Medicare overhaul.
No hearings. No debate. No opportunity for citizens to express their opinions on ending the current Medicare system.
It's the political version of wham, bam, thank you ma'am --a rush to pass poorly thought out legislation that's unsatisfying for everybody but the Tea Party types who want to lower taxes on the rich and screw senior citizens.
Today local Oregon columnist Ron Eachus had a great column in the Salem Statesman Journal on this subject.
Download Ron Eachus column
It is a bold plan, with plenty of controversy. Most of the spending reductions come from the Medicare changes under which recipients are given vouchers they can apply to private health insurance. The Congressional Budget Office points out that it means shifting more costs to Medicare recipients.
This deserves a lot more scrutiny. You'd think it would receive some hearings, some expert testimony, some airing in public before Congress proceeds. Not in today's Congress, not in today's budget wars.
One day after Ryan put his plan forward, the House Budget Committee voted, along party lines, to send a 2012 budget resolution implementing the plan to the House floor, where it is expected to pass this week.
Remember when the Republicans chided the Democrats for ramrodding the health care reform through without enough time to review the bill or consider alternatives?
I sure do.
The Affordable Care Act went through months and months of deliberation, and even that was criticized by Republicans as being too hasty. Yet here they are, rushing a wholesale destruction of Medicare through the House of Representatives in one freaking week!
Hypocrites. S.O.B.'s And next year, I hope, not re-elected.
(AARP Oregon isn't happy with Ryan's plan. Neither is the national AARP. Not a great start to re-election season for Republicans.)
Well it has to pass the Senate and be signed by Obama before it takes effect. The House Republicans may have done to themselves what many did in Wisconsin with now facing recall elections. At least Americans know what they really want now and if they vote for any of them, they are getting for what they asked. They are counting on American ignorance. Not a bad guess these days.
Posted by: Rain | April 13, 2011 at 08:59 AM
People should know that if Medicare is eliminated for everyone under 55 in 2011, by 2014 it will be gone for everyone. The current Republican plan is nothing more than some kind of wealth transfer from the middle class to the rich.
Posted by: Elli Davis | April 29, 2011 at 12:06 PM
How do they think the average American retiree is going to afford Medicare? I don't think the rich are going to miss a few extra bucks when they're paying their taxes towards healthcare.
Posted by: Gary G | November 29, 2011 at 12:28 PM
However Obama still wants rich to pay more taxes and the Current Republican plan is nothing more than some kind of wealth transfer from the middle class to the rich.
Posted by: Cinsuranceplan | November 13, 2012 at 10:38 PM