Ryan Retread: Ideology Trumps Medicare Protection and Deficit Reduction
March 13, 2013 at 2:02 pm Judith Stein 1 comment
The Ryan plan for 2013 is the same as the Ryan plan for 2012 and 2011: Privatize Medicare and repeal the Affordable Care Act. Once again the Ryan budget proposes to preserve Medicare in name only. It would change Medicare into a defined voucher system, sending beneficiaries into the marketplace to purchase indiivual insurance plans. These ideas were at the heart of the 2012 election. They are about changing the way government and Medicare work, not about saving Medicare or money. The proposals were rejected at the polls.
If Medicare and the deficit are really our concern, there are real savings possible that would not harm older and disabled people: Bring down the prices Medicare pays for drugs. Stop all overpayments to private Medicare Advantage plans. Add a prescription drug benefit to traditional Medicare. Lower the age of eligibility for Medicare. Let the Affordable Care Act work.
Mr. Ryan, move on! Join us in focusing on real solutions.
Entry filed under: Affordable Care Act, Deficit Reduction, Fiscal Responsibility, Health Care Reform, Health Care Reform Repeal, Health Insurance, Judith Stein, Medicare, Medicare Reform, Reform, Ryan Plan, Vouchers. Tags: Affordable Care Act, Deficit; Medicare, Health Care Reform, Medicare, Medicare Reform, Private Plans, voucher.
CMA Health Policy Blog 
1.
Sandy Cortese | March 14, 2013 at 3:55 pm
The three industries which benefited the most from the creation of the Part D program are: 1. pharmaceuticals, 2. insurance, and 3. advertising. Medicare will reduce costs by targeting each of these industries: 1. negotiate prices with pharma, 2. directly provide prescription coverage and eliminate insurance companies, 3. prohibit direct advertising of drugs to consumers.