Both parties dig in on Medicare demands
CBS
As Vice President Joe Biden continues to make progress overseeing debt limit negotiations between Democrats and Republicans, the questions remains as to whether the Obama administration will go along with GOP demands to significantly change Medicare.
The latest evidence -- a pair of opposing letters to the administration from members of the two major parties -- shows that Democrats and Republicans remain as committed as ever to their positions on a controversial GOP Medicare plan.
A group of moderate Democrats sent Biden a letter today asking him to oppose the House Republican Medicare plan, which they say attempts to "dismantle" Medicare. While the senators make clear they are rejecting the House plan, crafted by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), they suggest they'd be open to other Medicare changes.
"We hope to identify delivery system reforms and other sources of savings that can extend the life of Medicare in its current form," the letter says. "But we will never allow any effort to dismantle the program and force benefit cuts upon seniors under the guise of deficit reduction."
The letter was signed by Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin (Md.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Jon Tester (Mont.) and Bill Nelson (Fla.). McCaskill, Tester and Nelson are all up for re-election next year.
Liberals in Congress, such as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, have said they could "never" support a deficit reduction plan that included a reduction in Medicare benefits.
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Yet the question remains as to whether the administration and moderate Democrats could compel Pelosi and others to accept some changes. On MSNBC this morning, Rep. Steny Hoyer (Md.), the second ranking Democrat in the House, said "everything needs to be on the table." He said Pelosi "thinks Medicare ought not to be changed." However, he added, "I have spent a lot of time in rooms discussing the matter, and [Pelosi] indicated everything should be on the table."
Meanwhile, a group of 76 conservative House freshmen sent their own letter to President Obama today, demanding the president put forward his own ideas for Medicare reform, if he's unwilling to accept the House GOP plan.
"It is vital that for serious negotiations to take place your Administration must put forward a plan that addresses entitlement reform, including Medicare. We cannot have honest and forthright negotiations without such a plan," the letter said. 'The current debate over what it will take for Congress to agree to raise the debt ceiling is one of the most vital debates the 112th Congress will engage in, yet the voice and leadership of the President of the United States is missing. Americans deserve to hear your plan."
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"In the first showdown over the Senate health care bill, Democrats on Thursday successfully defended more than $400 billion in Medicare cuts, turning back a potentially lethal stab at the measure.
On a 58-42 vote, the Senate defeated an effort by Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, to send the bill back to a committee where lawmakers would have had to drop the cuts in Medicare payments and instead find another way to pay for the bill, which overhauls the nation's health insurance system and guarantees coverage for tens of millions of people who lack insurance."
Actually, it has been the Democrats who have already made massive cuts to Medicare. Politicians from both parties in Washington are responsible for grossly mismanaging Medicare and Social Security to the point that both are in danger of collapse. Something major has to be done to salvage at least some of Medicare. Paul Ryan's budget did that, but big government do nothing Democrats would have none of it. How an any one in their right mind want the federal government take total control of of our health care system in the United States, with the federal government having a horrible track record in managing Medicare and Social Security? Track records mean something, and the federal government has proven it is not fit to run health care. Leave it in the private sector.
What is so bad about the government handling of Medicare is that it is funded with 2.9% of every penny every taxapyer in America earns every day. And even at that rate, it is a financial wreck set to happen if we don't do something.
As with every other failed government program (ie.DOE) the prevailing wisdom of government is for them to take MORE money from taxpayers, throw more money at the problem and "HOPE" it gets better.
Of course democrats are lying to scare people. Uh-ba-ma's entire term has been one of fear.
Can any of you liberals attacking the GOP for their plan tell us what the Dems plan is??????
Obama doesn't have a plan for the budget, debt ceiling or entitlement crisis. Nor does Pelosi or Reid.
And about Social Security, I think they should leave that alone! Social Security recipients are already among the poorest in the nation! They haven't had a raise in over three years and many of them already have to choose between paying their rent and utilities and buying food because they don't have enough income to pay for both! I hate the thought of raising taxes but I think in some cases it's necessary. I think the only way to save Social Security is to raise taxes on the working people, not cut the benefits of those who are already so poor that they have to choose between buying food and paying their bills!
You're numbers are correct but yo failed to mention it was the DEMOS in control of spending in 2007 and 2008. Remember only Congress controls spending not Presidents.
Bush November 16, 2004 8,184 800
Bush March 20, 2006 8,965 781
Is the only fair comparison because there was a GOP congress in place.
DEMO CONGRESS September 29, 2007 9,815 850
DEMO CONGRESS June 5, 2008 10,615 800
DEMO CONGRESS October 3, 2008 11,315 700
Get the point when you let the thieving DEMOS into the bank they rob everyone blame it on everyone and make the future children pay for it if there are any future children because with the Demos intent on destroying America there well may not be.
Despite the facts that large percentages of the American people don't agree with them.
1) rich and does not believe they will ever need this safety net or
2) is a complete idiot
there really are no other choices.
hope this helps,
They had no problem at all passing a bill that cut 1/2 trillion from Medicare.
They have no problem at all will telling seniors their SS and Medicare checks will not be sent out in august if we don't borrow money from China, even though both programs are supposed to have their own funding without us borrowing to pay those debts.
But then, what else can they say. They have no plans on the table for Americans to see.
Obama has't been able to put together a viable budget since the one he got from Bush.