Politics & Government

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.

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. 

Find out what's happening in Oak Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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. 

Find out what's happening in Oak Creekwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Reaction through the media and online pegged the proposal as a defining issue of the 2012 elections. Here's a few links: 

 


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