That's right. The Republicans are looking to privatize Medicare. From Brian Beutler (my emphasis):
One of the fun little tidbits in the Republican Budget roll out today is here:In other words, privatized insurance. Note the exemption for those (voting while) 55 or older.The substitute gradually converts the current Medicare program into one in which Medicare beneficiaries choose the most affordable coverage that best suits their individual needs. For individuals 55 or older, Medicare will not be changed (other than income-relating the prescription drug benefit): the budget preserves the existing program for these beneficiaries. To make the program sustainable and dependable, those 54 and younger will enroll in a new Medicare Program with health coverage similar to what is now available to Members of Congress and Federal employees.
The Professor makes three points and counts them as two:
1. Privatizing and voucherizing Medicare does nothing whatsoever to control costs. We’ve seen that from the sorry history of Medicare Advantage. I’m sure that the Republicans will claim savings — but those savings will come entirely from limiting the vouchers to below the rate of rise in health care costs; in effect, they will come from denying medical care to those who can’t afford to top up their premiums.And:
2. ... This will be Obama’s defining moment. Will he stand up for the principle that society takes care of those in need? Or will he cave in? I wish I had confidence in the answer.His third point is a word "for all those older Americans who voted GOP last year because those nasty Democrats were going to cut Medicare" — suckers!
Point two above is worth watching. Is there a Cave Week 2 in Obama's future?
GP
