Obama: McCain Wants To Cut Medicare

Democrat Suggests Rival Would Cut $882 Million From Program To Finance Health Care Plan

(AP)  Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Friday that Republican rival John McCain wants to cut $882 billion from Medicare over a decade to finance his health care plan and the result would be more costly drugs, diminished services and lower quality care for seniors.

"It's entirely consistent with Sen. McCain's record during his 26 years in Congress where, time and again, he's opposed Medicare," Obama said. "In fact, Sen. McCain has voted against protecting Medicare 40 times."

Campaign officials said the $882 billion estimate was drawn in part from a study by the Center for American Progress, a public policy organization stocked with prominent Democrats.

In response, McCain's campaign issued a statement saying Obama was "simply lying." The statement said the Republican planned to trim spending, but said his plans "do not cut a single benefit."

Ahead in the national polls, Obama made his charge as he campaigned in a traditionally Republican state where he has invested heavily in hopes of collecting 13 electoral votes. He is spending far more on television advertising in Virginia than McCain and has 50 offices statewide. The trip was his seventh here since wrapping up the Democratic nomination in June.

Still, in a state that once boasted the capital of the Confederacy, Obama's campaign indicated it understands the challenge involved in trying to elect the nation's first black president.

Democratic Sen. Jim Webb never mentioned race as he introduced Obama to the predominantly white crowd at the Roanoke Civic Center in the southwestern part of the state. But, he said, "Barack Obama's father was born in Kenya. Barack Obama's mother was born in Kansas by way of Kentucky," he said, adding that Obama would be the "14th president of the United States whose ancestry and whose family line goes back" in the region.

"You can trust him. I trust him," Webb added.

Obama's remarks on Medicare amounted to a new front in the campaign's health care wars, and were aimed at persuading older voters to abandon McCain.

McCain wants to provide tax credits to encourage Americans to purchase private health insurance. To pay for it, he has proposed requiring workers to pay income taxes on the health benefits they now receive tax-free from their employers.

McCain's campaign says additional funding will be required to cover the full cost of the program.

"It turns out, Sen. McCain would pay for part of his plan by making drastic cuts in Medicare — $882 billion worth, $882 billion in Medicare cuts to pay for an ill-conceived health care plan, even as Medicare already faces a looming shortfall," Obama said.

"It would mean a cut of more than 20 percent in Medicare benefits next year. If you count on Medicare, it would mean fewer places to get care, and less freedom to chose your own doctors," he added.

Obama said his own proposals for Medicare include "eliminating wasteful subsidies to big HMOs in Medicare, and making sure seniors can access home-based care, and letting Medicare negotiate with drug companies for better prices."

The reference to subsidies referred to the money the government pays to support private alternatives to traditional government-run Medicare, but attempts by some Democrats to eliminate them ran into bipartisan opposition in Congress over the past two years.

Recent studies show the government pays an estimated $112 for Medicare patients in private coverage for every $100 it spends on the traditional program, and that eliminating the difference could save more than $150 billion over a decade.

Critics say the private alternative is wasteful. Supporters argue it often provides benefits such as vision care that are unavailable in government-run Medicare.

Like Obama, numerous other Democrats favor allowing the agency that runs Medicare negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies, saying that would lead to cheaper prices for prescription medicines.

But the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office said last year the change was unlikely to result in lower prices unless the government decided to limit the drug choices available to seniors like the Veterans Administration does.

[ibzjem]

With a hatchet!

Next time you undergo surgery, ask the doctor to use a hatchet instead of a scalpel, and make cuts across the board.

[gop_will_win]

More scare tactics from the liberals. Next they will start criticising McCains euthanize the elderly poor proposal as inhumane.

[melpol1]

Obama is obviously the peoples choice because they know that he sincerely is for the them. As president he will discard the harness put on him by wealthy backers and return to his humble roots. Get ready for the greatest show on Earth when he assumes the presidency.

[redbds]

With a hatchet!

Next time you undergo surgery, ask the doctor to use a hatchet instead of a scalpel, and make cuts across the board.

Posted by ibzjem at 02:44 PM : Oct 17, 2008

Senator Obama - aren''t you supposed to be on the campaign trail lieing about McCains proposals.

[redbds]

Obama is obviously the peoples choice because they know that he sincerely is for the them. As president he will discard the harness put on him by wealthy backers and return to his humble roots. Get ready for the greatest show on Earth when he assumes the presidency.

Posted by melpol1 at 02:59 PM : Oct 17, 2008

What fairytale are you living in? Obama is like every other politician out there. He is saying what he needs to say to get elected. As far as his humble beginnings go, give me a break. He is not from humble beginnings. He has absolutely nothing in common with the group of voters he is focusing his campaign on.

[Redoubt]

My brother, who was a career employee of the US Government, serving in the US Army and then, the Civil Service, was diagnosed with cancer. Since then, he has slowly been reduced to depending on Medicare (he is 65) because his insurance simply played out from the obscene expenses that came with both Chemo and Radiation Therapy.

Mr. Obama, if you cut his Medicare, he may die.

How can I now vote for you?

...

[Redoubt]

Mr. Obama, if you cut his Medicare, he may die.

How can I now vote for you?

...........

*****Typo:

Mr. McCain... same thing to you.

I will not vote for you.

...

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by sincityq at 03:15 PM

Since Obama isn''t trying to cut medicare, what the hell are you smoking?

[missingamerica]

Senator Obama - aren''''t you supposed to be on the campaign trail lieing about McCains proposals.

Posted by redbds at 03:03 PM : Oct 17, 2008

There went a preconception of mine...I thought ALL Repubicans were perfectly capable of remembering how to spell "lying".

I presume that so many of them saying "I do not recall." is negatively impacting short and long term memory.

[rudy654-2009]

Senator Obama - aren''''t you supposed to be on the campaign trail lieing about McCains proposals.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by redbds at 03:03 PM :

McCain says he''s going to also tax employee benefits. IT appears that McCain doesn''t want anyone getting health care.

[citizenusa-2009]

If McCain gets his way, the U.S. will absolutely become a "Third World Country". He will of course be immune to the famine and homelessness because he has 7 homes..he hopes to have the 8th soon (The White House). Don''t let this Neocon in the front door because (just like with Baby Bush) we will ALL "get it in the back door".

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by sincityq at 03:15 PM

My apologies, I just realized that you made an error. I agree with you post.

[citizenusa-2009]

My brother, who was a career employee of the US Government, serving in the US Army and then, the Civil Service, was diagnosed with cancer. Since then, he has slowly been reduced to depending on Medicare (he is 65) because his insurance simply played out from the obscene expenses that came with both Chemo and Radiation Therapy.

Mr. Obama, if you cut his Medicare, he may die.

How can I now vote for you?

...

Posted by sincityq at 03:15 PM : Oct 17, 2008

READ MAN READ! MC CAIN WANTS TO CUT MEDICARE, NOT OBAMA! OMG!!!

[missingamerica]

Wonder what kind of attitude McCain would have, if Cindy dumped him, he did not win reelection to the Senate, and he was cut off from his free government health care and pension...

[rudy654-2009]

Obama is up in the polls and as it soon becomes discovered that Joe fats duh plumber is Joe neocon the liar and plant, he will go up even further.

[misha128-2009]

Obama drop 4 more points.

Posted by mr22585 at 03:28 PM

National polls are meaningless --

What liberal press? This is a myth. The right wing trots out this baloney every election cycle and it simply isn''t true! It seems to me that the press has endeavored to be even-handed in this election cycle. Obama has had much negative press in the months leading up to the election. Sarah Palin has not received anymore negative press than Hillary. And McCain, well, his actions have been is his own negative press. He keeps stepping in it!

[misha128-2009]

Posted by mr22585 at 03:26 PM

The principle seems to be sound but the actor is clearly Senator McCain in your downward spiral.

[interobserv]

I don''t know what polls all you pro McCain folks are reading, but RealClearPolitics still has Obama with a very confortable and solid lead.
As for lies, Obama is talking about McCain''s record on Medicare. Next it will be Social Security. Looks like he''s turning up the heat! He might even get McCain to blow a gasket! Looks like this might get real interesting!

[rudy654-2009]

It is becoming clearly obvious that McCain is planning to continue the depletion of the treasury by sending money to all those worthless contractors in that bottomless pit called Iraq, while depleting what little is left for the middle class.

[grouchyjohn]

So now McCain hates the American military members AND the elderly?!?!

Why is anyone even considering voting for this guy?!?!

[rudy654-2009]

Why is anyone even considering voting for this guy?!?!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by grouchyjohn at 03:32 PM

Those voting for him are most likely mind controlled evangelical extremists and hate radio listeners receiving their infusion of hourly lies.

[citizenusa-2009]

McCain''s family will ALWAYS have MONEY AND UNLIMITED RESOURCES. Why should he care about the Average American?

[citizenusa-2009]

Also. OBammy is an inflammatoryasshole.

Posted by listenupfool at 03:30 PM : Oct 17, 2008

And YOU are clearly a racist.

[misha128-2009]

Vote no for SOCIALISM. Vote no for OBAMA.Vote no for RACISM.

Posted by mr22585 at 03:32 PM

Instead choose nationalized businesses, communism and McCain -- Thanks, but no thanks.

[citizenusa-2009]

Why does McCain giggle nervously in the middle of answering a serious question? It''s really creepy...

[john6pack]

I haven''t heard McCain asking his fellow senators to cut their benefits.
But I heard McCain trying to get free cell service at his ranch with the taxpayer picking the tab, despite his huge wealth.
What a hypocrite!

[citizenusa-2009]

So now McCain hates the American military members AND the elderly?!?!

Why is anyone even considering voting for this guy?!?!

Posted by grouchyjohn at 03:32 PM : Oct 17, 2008

Because the "fat cats" don''t have to worry about health care or having to send their sons and daughters to war. Remember, the Rich START the wars and the Poor FIGHT the wars. McCain want to keep it that way.

[misha128-2009]

Palin only visits Pro-American portions of the country -- if she doesn''t visit your area does that make you Anti-American or is she the Anti-American that does not support the whole country? The latter makes more sense.

[misha128-2009]

McCain has never voted no on medicare. He has voted no to pork added to medicare by the crooks in the democrat party. Obama is a LIAR.

Posted by mr22585 at 03:43 PM

McCain''w own campaign people were the original source of the news about medicare and medicaid cuts -- please try again.

[citizenusa-2009]

McCain has never voted no on medicare. He has voted no to pork added to medicare by the crooks in the democrat party. Obama is a LIAR.

Posted by mr22585 at 03:43 PM : Oct 17, 2008

"Pork" is a tag line created by your rich boys. It''s designed to denigrate a bill if it''s not exactly what your Neocons designed. Easy to say "Not good, it''s load with pork". What a bunch of c.r.a.p. and YOU buy it hook line and sinker. You sir are naive.

[citizenusa-2009]

Obama needs to stop telling LIES.

Posted by mr22585 at 03:46 PM : Oct 17, 2008

Only if YOU stop first!

[misha128-2009]

Obama needs to stop telling LIES.

Posted by mr22585 at 03:46 PM

I don''t the world''s record being set by McCain and Palin is in any jeopardy.

[blindhowlin]

Of course McCain wants to cut Medicare. Why should Joe the plumber have to help seniors by meds or get any kind of health care? It''s not his problem, let the senior bums get a job, McDonald''s is hiring, Walmart needs greeters, poor health is no excuse for sponging off the rest of us.
Medicare is Socialism, if the elderly can''t pay for it, then let them die and decrease the surplus population.

[liberalme]

My friends,

The claim to fame by McCain has clearly been insane.

He was a POW, songbird, graduated next to last in his class, has no class, has a surly nasty temperment, can''t complete a sentence on the same subject.

Now the good points----








oops

[liberalme]

Of course McCain wants to cut Medicare. Why should Joe the plumber have to help seniors by meds or get any kind of health care? It''''s not his problem, let the senior bums get a job, McDonald''''s is hiring, Walmart needs greeters, poor health is no excuse for sponging off the rest of us.
Medicare is Socialism, if the elderly can''''t pay for it, then let them die and decrease the surplus population.

Posted by blindhowlin

And while you mother was wiping your snotty little nose--your father was working his tail off to support you and all the while was paying into Social Security.

The money has been there for years and there would probably be a lot more if the government would just leave it alone.

Many hard working Americans have been paying into SS for years--it wasn''t originated for the illegal use of the government, it was put in place for the working people----oh sorry---don''t you fit into that category??

[liberalme]

I''''m sure John McCain will respond to Obama''''s lies about medicare.


Posted by mr22585 at 03:53 PM : Oct 17, 2008

Profound for what little education you appear to have.

[notfooled]

I have no idea if what Obama says is true or not.

I do find it hilarious that so many Rep supporters are coming unglued over it.

Hahahahahahahaha.

Because ...

McSame and Palin are currrently tied for first in the America''s greatest liars contest.

Who says the Dems don''t know how to fight?

TKO in the 1st round - match to Obama.

Haha.

[element51]

FromTxwlove....Hi Rowdy. Haven''t seen you for awhile. I''m in the process of starting a business so I have been busy with that. Good to see you back. You know we are on opposite sides of the fence but you never fail to entertain. See ya on the flip side.

[ioweign]

JukeBox Johnnie and another Plumber...

Liddy has donated $5,000 to McCain''s campaigns since 1998, including $1,000 in February 2008. In addition, McCain has appeared on Liddy''s radio show during the presidential campaign, including as recently as May. An online video labeled "John McCain On The G. Gordon Liddy Show 11/8/07" includes a discussion between Liddy and McCain, whom Liddy described as an "old friend." During the segment, McCain praised Liddy''s "adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great," said he was "proud" of Liddy, and said that "it''s always a pleasure for me to come on your program."

Additionally, in 1998, Liddy reportedly held a fundraiser at his home for McCain. Liddy was reportedly scheduled to speak at another fundraiser for McCain in 2000. The Charlotte Observer reported on January 23, 2000, that McCain''s campaign vouched for Liddy''s "character".

[dinkydog1]

Of course McCain wants to cut Medicare. Why should Joe the plumber have to help seniors by meds or get any kind of health care? It''''s not his problem, let the senior bums get a job, McDonald''''s is hiring, Walmart needs greeters, poor health is no excuse for sponging off the rest of us.
Medicare is Socialism, if the elderly can''''t pay for it, then let them die and decrease the surplus population.


Posted by blindhowlin at 03:51 PM : Oct 17, 2008

.......................................

Your right, let that money be used for tax cuts for rich who deserve it. Those grubby working class types should be thakfull for what they have, they''d just waste the money anyhow.

[arthanyel]

For someone (McCain) that claims that it is dangerous in this economic climate to "raise anyone''s taxes", the fact he plans to tax employee health care benefits has been greatly overlooked. The McCain healtnh care plan isone of the major reasons to vote for Obama.

To be completely fair, however, if McCain did get elected he would not be able to pass his health care plan because the Democratically controlled COngress would kill it - thank goodness.

[shortestfuse]

Obama says ''I think when you spread the wealth around, it''s good for everybody.'' That idea might play well to Communists, but not to anyone in the USA with a thinking brain (such as Joe the Plumber).

[liberalme]

We may one day look back on this presidential campaign in wonder. We may marvel that Obama''''''''s critics called him an elitist, as if an Ivy League education were a source of embarrassment, and belittled his eloquence, as if a gift with words were suddenly a defect. In fact, Obama is educated and eloquent, sober and exciting, steady and mature. He represents the nation as it is, and as it aspires to be.

The L.A. Times has endorsed Obama. Read this entire article at latimes.com.

Posted by tonic16612 at 04:00 PM : Oct 17, 2008

My own take on this is, MCCain wanted Lieberman and Palin was picked by the "Party".
Truthfully, I don''t think the Republicans want to win this year--if they do, they would be expected to clean up Bushs mess and can''t figure out how to do it--it would be a lot easier to "let" the Dems get back into office then blame them for the mess.

Look at the posts here---the Dems took more seats in 2006--and now the Republicans blame the last 8 years on the Dems---even though the Dems took more seats, they still didn''t have the "majority" of the votes.

That''s just the way they play--down and dirty.

[jimmyjoe88]

Get Real! Olamo never votes and never shows his cards. What will he do as Pres. with Lib. congress? Spend more money and tax the country deeper into the poor house.

[dinkydog1]

Obama says ''''I think when you spread the wealth around, it''''s good for everybody.'''' That idea might play well to Communists, but not to anyone in the USA with a thinking brain (such as Joe the Plumber).


Posted by shortestfuse at 04:09 PM : Oct 17, 2008

..............................

All the wealth from the economic gains of the last 8 years have gone to the top 1% while working peoples wages have gone flat an thier houshold income has decreased.

Is a continuation of this what you would rather have?

[jimmyjoe88]

And let''s win this one! for the Countrys sake. Go to PitbullPalinNet to show you vote.

[shortestfuse]

Obama wants to raise corporate business taxes through the roof. Guess what: businesses are not charities, so the only choice they will have is to pass the cost of the increased taxes on to the consumers. Obama may pull a sleight of hand and claim he''s lowering the taxes on "95% of the population" (the fact checkers say that number is really in the low 80% range), but by the time you end up paying up the wazoo for the increased prices of everything you buy, you can be sure you will end up with MUCH LESS in your wallet.

[citizenusa-2009]

BAIT AND SWITCH POLITICS! OBAMA''''S INTELLECT IS RIGHT ON A PAR WITH A USED CAR SALESMAN FROM THE HOOD IN CHICAGO!

Posted by FromTexwLove at 04:13 PM : Oct 17, 2008

Yup! Everybody from Texas is "Right as Rain"! Our fearless leader comes from your part of the country and look how right he was!!! I''ll bet you can''t wait for him to come home to Crawford so you can rub his feet and call him "Daddy"...

[dinkydog1]

All the wealth from the economic gains of the last 8 years have gone to the top 1% while working peoples wages have gone flat an thier houshold income has decreased. Is a continuation of this what you would rather have? ----------------------------------------
-------------- Posted by dinkydog1


...IF you want to run against George Bush, you should have ran four years ago!!!


Posted by DaVicar1 at 04:19 PM : Oct 17, 2008

...................................

I wish Obama could run against Bush. Bush couldn''t get elected dog catcher.