Health Insurance for Seniors Becomes a Political Landmine
June 2011
Last year democrats lost the house due to the perception that the new healthcare law would tinker with Medicare.
Now it seems that
health insurance for seniors has become a political turning point once again. Democrats have seized on the plan put forward by Republicans to significantly cut
Medicare, and in the process they may have gained the upper hand once again.
The concern regarding health insurance for seniors has been ongoing; as the deficit grows alongside the costs of Medicare many seniors are worried about their benefits.
The problem is that there are too many people who now rely on Medicare, and too few people paying into the program. Along with rising medical costs, and the longer lifespans now enjoyed by most Americans, the costs for Medicare have risen dramatically since 1965 when it was implemented.
The budget put forward by Republican Paul Ryan seemed to cement those fears. His plan to transform Medicare into a voucher system, and thereby expect seniors to pay for more of their own health care, has been met with public disapproval.
While Republicans support the plan, a full 78% of polled citizens oppose cuts to health insurance for seniors.
As a result Democrats may be in favor again. Their much publicized fight to "save Medicare" is costing Republicans politically, particularly since older Americans are a large and very powerful voting block.
Facts on:
Health Insurance for Seniors
Did you know...
78% of Americans oppose cuts to Medicare?
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The Democratic plan is to balance the budget by raising taxes on wealthier Americans. Other Democratic issues regarding health
insurance for seniors include cutting out Medicare fraud, boosting overall health through healthy initiatives, and streamlining costs through organizational means.
Republicans are opposed to raising taxes and want to redesign "entitlement programs" like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.
While Republicans rule the House, Democrats have hung on to the Senate, meaning that significant cuts to Medicare would likely be killed by Senate Democrats before they could ever become law.
But, how this will all play out at the polls in 2012 still remains to be seen.
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