Rep. Paul Ryan Announces Plan to Replace Medicare
The House Republican's controversial 10-year budget would save $4 trillion while reducing taxes for the wealthy and overhauling entitlement programs.
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Rep. Paul Ryan's latest budget shake up hit Washington D.C. Sunday with news that he is leading efforts to phase out Medicare over the next 10 years.
The proposal is part of the Republican Party's 10-year budget designed to reduce the federal deficit by $4 trillion. Ryan, chairman of the House Republican Budget Committee, is the GOP's lead on the plan.
The Janesville Republican represents a large part of southeastern Wisconsin, including Oak Creek, Caledonia, Mount Pleasant, Sturtevant, Greenfield, Greendale and Muskego.
The Wall Street Journal reported today that Ryan's plan would end Medicare and create a voucher system for seniors 65 and older to buy health insurance. It would also end Medicaid, which creates health insurance for people low-income, and give block grants to states to run programs.
Both proposals are part of a larger plan that includes tax cuts for wealthy Americans and caps on the government's discretionary spending.
Reaction through the media and online pegged the proposal as a defining issue of the 2012 elections. Here's a few links:
- CNN called the budget "highly controversial."
- Politico's Jonathan Allen said it was a "gamble."
- Jennifer Rubin, at the Washington Post, say Ryan was about to become the most important Republican in America.
- The Hill reports Democrats are already on the attack.
- Kevin Drum at Mother Jones says Ryan's plan does include "vouchers," no matter what others say.
Beverly A Gold
3:51 pm on Monday, April 4, 2011
when he say's voucher's what does that mean exactly for us that all ready are on Medicare and have a supplemental health care insurance such as WPS?
Beverly A Gold
3:55 pm on Monday, April 4, 2011
I don't know what this means for us that are all ready on Medicare and have a supplemenat insurance such as WPS. Will we have to get yet another insurance? I all ready pay close to $ 5:00 dollars a month. What will the cost be to us?
Lisa Brennan
5:35 pm on Monday, April 4, 2011
Hmmmmm..... So many changes, well we now currently the system is unmanageable. The question is would this cause an undue hardship to seniors and the poor? Not enough information is give to make an accurate assessment in the interest of fairness.
Randy1949
7:03 pm on Thursday, April 14, 2011
Medicare was created back in 1965 because few seniors could find affordable health insurance -- the premiums were simply too expensive for this high risk, low income group. I don't think health insurance has gotten any more affordable since then. So yes -- seniors would be receiving vouchers and would be expected to pay the balance of whatever health insurance they could find out of their own pockets. And that means from the Social Security and whatever retirement savings they have. This will cost them more and it will cost their children more.
This is not a good idea.
Dan B
5:53 pm on Monday, April 4, 2011
Beverly, This is from the New york Times
On Medicare, Ryan says none of his changes would apply to people 55 years old or older. But Americans under age 55 would see an entirely different Medicare program with they hit retirement age.
Instead of the current system, where the government directly pays medical bills for seniors, under Ryan's plan, seniors would choose from a menu government-subsidized health insurance programs. Benefits would be income-adjusted and wealthier retirees would pay more.
Sounds like a tax on the rich! this should make the left happy but I am sure they will spin it to say they will be no longer be covered by the evil right
Jenny
8:29 pm on Monday, April 4, 2011
This is ridiculous. These people pay their own taxes in to their medicare and deserve it!
It is absolutely ridiculous now that a senior has to take out supplement insurance because medicare doesn't cover everything.
I don't care who you get into that office; Republican or Democrat but they do not care what happens. How about we make politicians take a cut and pay and take away their full pension and retirement?
Randy1949
6:57 pm on Thursday, April 14, 2011
Jenny, Medicare has a 20% co-pay, but so do some regular insurance programs. You're not obliged to take out supplemental insurance if you have enough money to pay the co-pay out of pocket. Few people do, of course.
Anyone who gets a Social Security check knows that a certain amount is deducted each month to pay for the Medicare premium. So you pay throughout your working life via your FICA and then you pay a reasonable premium once you begin to collect.
Gail
1:11 am on Friday, May 20, 2011
I want the same healthcare our representatives, senators and congressmen and women have and have emailed this statement to them and did not get one reply. When u have the best, no reply is blessed! Dementia, loss of memory etc does not have an age limit. Can older American make proper decisions and will the private insurance book of business want to insure all for what Americans afford to pay. Europeans laugh at Americans lack of a national healthcare plan and they also laugh at our vacation time off. American policy makers get rich in office and do nada for the poor, which is now the demolished middle class.
It doesn't matter, the so called elected officials will do what is best for the upper crust who can afford to pay for excellent healthcare and leave the middle class and poor to the ability of the state they live in. States can have excellent medicaid programs or nada programs depending where u live in the USA. Be careful where u retire. Which state covers mental and nervous the same as any other illness? No limits! Not NJ!
nay
8:32 pm on Monday, April 4, 2011
You who are on Medicare, would no longer be on Medicare. Mr. Ryan will disolve that program. You will receive an allotted amount of money or a voucher or coupon. You will have private insurance companies that will accept the voucher. But, those companies will restrict your coverege,limit costs, and most likely ask for generous co-payments. I appreciate Mr. Ryan's attempt to cut our enormous debt, but make no mistake, medical care for us 65 and beyond will be reduced, and cost more. Whichever 'side' you may be on, the Obamacare as well as the Ryan plan has the commonman held hostage. The lobbiest for drug, insurance companies have bought our politicians. Why do you suppose why billon $ companies don't pay taxes, not a penny. That is how All of our government is run. No matter what 'side' your on.
Tomi
4:01 am on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Corporations have Ryan by the balls!
Sue Higgins
7:19 am on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
This is INSANE! I care for my 81+ year old mom at home, she has Lewy Bodies Dementia. Without Medicaid and the help we receive from the State of Massachusetts with the Community Based Care Program, my mom would be in a nursing home, costing the state way more money.
The current program costs $15K per person per year, if my mom was in a nursing home, the cost would be upward of $75K per person per year ... that's a difference of $60K per person! Through the Elder Waiver Program, my mom gets to live at home a little longer, enjoys Adult Day Healthcare and she has home aids come in to help her.
Because of the help, I'm able to work and pay taxes in order to support these cost saving programs that are more beneficial to the folks that need the care.
I think these politicians who want to cut the programs need to think outside the box and not just do these big stupid cuts. The super rich need to be taxed, corporations like GE need to be taxed and not given a refund because of loopholes ... period!
If tax burdens were shared, we would not be talking about a deficit and these important services like Medicaid and Medicare would not be disturbed.
Tomi... you are right, Ryan is owned by the Corporate Overlords.
Heather Rayne Geyer
8:06 am on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Very well said Sue.
obtw
7:45 am on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
If you are complaining about GE, look inside the Democrats pockets. They own Obama. They don' pay taxes, but Obama gave them 36 million for retiree costs. Seem fair, right?
And when my mom went to a nursing home, our family chipped in and paid the $8,000.00 per month that it cost her. I glad we can help out your mom too.
Lory Bresina
9:57 am on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
We need to take the time to fully analyze a proposal before flying off the handle in response. Paul Ryan is a person of integrity and intelligence and has great concern for our nation. His ideas are not carved in stone and can be modified; however, he is one of the few politicians willing to propose some bold ideas in order to rescue our nation from massive debt, while ensuring that those who need help are cared for with sustainable programs. Don't judge before you become more informed about our growing debt and the longterm unsustainability of our current programs. Sticking our heads in the sand or using up our energy in rants will not solve the ramifications of our nation's debt crisis. Not only do we need to think about ourselves, but we need to think about the legacy we leave to our children and grandchildren.
catherine czarnecki
2:09 pm on Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Do you live in the real world? Everytime I have called his office he has done nothing.
He's going after the elderly and poor? You think this is O.K.?
Why isn't he going after JP Morgan or Bank of America, or all the wall street company's that got billions of our tax dollars and pocketed it? I don't hear him talking about any of them.
Wake up....Bold Idea...Going after the company's that got billions in the Tarp deal is
a BOLD idea, stop giving money to country's that hate us, there's a BOLD idea. Stop Illegal aliens from collecting social services that taxpayers cover..there's a BOLD idea. It's people like you that are the problem, letting politicians go after the less fortunate instead of looking at the REAL issues were money can be saved.
Lory Bresina
8:16 pm on Thursday, April 14, 2011
@Cathy - What were your expectations of Paul Ryan when you called his office? I don't think that an insane national debt is in any American's interest, whether they be young or old, rich or poor. At some point, we have to have the courage to do something about reducing our debt. Recent history is filled with nations that didn't have the money to do anything anymore because they were paying mega interest on their debt. Do you think that the IMF will bail us out or maybe the European Union? I don't think so. Do you want our money to be worth practically nothing in trade with other countries? We have many resources, but we also need many resources from other countries. I totally disagreed with all of the bailouts in our country. However, we would have seen huge ramifications for seniors who had saved all of their lives for their retirement if all of these banks had gone bust. I would also like to see us out of Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, etc. And, as much as I admire charity to others, we need to be out of debt before we borrow more to give money that we don't have. I also agree that we should be deporting illegal aliens. Yes, our immigration system need to be revamped, but no one should be rewarded for breaking the law. I still believe that Paul Ryan is one of the politicians who has ideas that will work. Have you attended his town hall meetings, listened to him, and asked questions? He, at least is making an attempt to mend our fiscal crisis.
SkinnyDude
11:22 am on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The devil is in the details . Clearly, something has to be done as the Government is barrowing 40 cents on every dollar it spends to stay a float. Its not sustainable and when we become a banana republic there will be NO benefits cause there will be no money. I like that Ryan is atleast aware of the obvious as way too many want to put their head in the sand and act like things can continue as they are. DO THE MATH = it will not happen! Either we make tough choices soon or they will be made by the realities of a financial collapse ! Far better to make the tough choices ourselves than to have them imposed on everyone eventually!
Farnaz sarraf
2:24 pm on Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Cutting budget without any concern for people is very easy. It does not need Mr. Ryan be in any particular position. It is not an art to write anyplan that causeshardship to old people and tax payors. It is however very hard to come up with necessary cuts that does not make our living hell. Why don't we cut the millions of dollars we are giving to Egypt, Lybia, Sout America, Saudi Arabia. Why don't we cut the free retirement plan for members of congress. Who is paying these people to fight for big corporations.It is a shame to see these people fight on a daily basis and us American people be sacrificed for their purpose.
RRREESE
9:32 pm on Thursday, April 7, 2011
55 is too late to change the rules.. These people have paid into the system for 35 years...And if they were conservative and saved their money, under Mr Ryans plan ,they will have to pay a large portion of their retirement income for meidal insurance..They talk about means testing for the vouches..If you are going to means test, means test everyone...
Why should a family that made $100,000/year and saved wisely have to pay more for their medical (medicare)than a person born in 1955 and is 56 years old and a multimillionair...
I like the idea of vouchers, but do not like the idea of means testing one group and not means testing another just because they are 1 day( born on Dec 31 1955) older...........
karen k
10:22 pm on Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Medicare has only a 7% overhead right now. Private insurance is at 30%. How is this going to save money? I will get less care but pay more. More money will go into paying for healthcare ceo's paychecks. And why is Paul Ryan meeting with the likes of the Koch Brothers? I just don't trust that good looking man after hearing that. That's my feeling. I'd like to see a third party analysis.
SkinnyDude
5:08 pm on Thursday, April 14, 2011
It is no secret that private insurance subsidizes medicare . Do you see what Medicare pays for services? Private insurance pays the full price. If hospitals had to operate only on medicare fees as a price baseline......they all be completely in the hole. Its apples and oranges to compare it to private isurances when they are required to pay full service fees and not medicare mandated price controls.
Randy1949
7:07 pm on Thursday, April 14, 2011
No, skinnyDUDE, private insurance does not pay full price. The various insurance companies cut their own deals with hospitals and physicians for reimbursement. You know who really pays full price? People without health insurance, who pay out of pocket. That's why you're really in trouble if you have no insurance and you end up in the hospital.
Bren
8:13 am on Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Paul Ryan has wasted a lot of time and taxpayer money creating a "budget plan" that has "0" impact on the deficit. Any impact his draconian and ill-thought out cuts could have had are washed away by massive tax cuts for corporations and the top 2%. More time and taxpayer money will be spent talking about it, and it will never pass in the Senate. Nice going, Paul Ryan.
BassGreat
8:49 am on Friday, October 21, 2011
You might as well just prepare for a painful death. It is estimated that 16 million Americans will have aldzheimers by the middle of the century. How will anyone be able to make any kind of crucial decisions? - They won't. Now couple that with EPA deregulations proposed by Republicans everywhere, and the major health issues that will insue. Why doesn't Ryan propose that they do a better job with investing the money they take from us? Many legislators have gotten wealthy from the investing of their money, why wasn't our money put where it could grow into substantial amounts? We shouldn't have to have needless worry. You have taken from the money we entrusted to you to invest and used it for your own folly. Now a worthless voucher for those with compromised everything is what you offer? Pity the fools who cut off their nose to spite the face.