To Reduce Deficit, Government Can Destroy Medicare – or Expand It

[Better Believe It]

To Reduce Deficit, Government Can Destroy Medicare – or Expand It
By: Jon Walker
April 5, 2011

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) has stepped forward for the Republican Party to endorse the “destroy Medicare” solution as the best way to reduce the deficit. After all, treating the medical needs of the elderly is very expensive. If we just let old people die when they can’t afford to pay the doctors anymore, we eliminate one of the government’s biggest expenses.

Progressives have a real plan to reduce the deficit: expand Medicare

Alternately, since Medicare is dramatically more cost effective than private health insurance, government could significantly reduce the deficit by expanding this proven program. Just allowing people in the new health care reform exchanges to buy into a Medicare-run insurance plan would save over a $100 billion. In addition, given that health insurance is such a big expense for businesses, allowing the private sector to buy Medicare instead of private insurance would result in higher wages, more employees hired, and/or larger profits. All of which would generate substantial tax revenue for the government.

That’s a political and policy fight worth having

If it ever came to a battle between plans to kill or expand Medicare, it would be a political bloodbath. On one side, Republican saying the best way to reduce the deficit is to destroy the popular Medicare program, and, on the other side, Democrats making the unequivocal counter argument that the best way to reduce the deficit is to let more people have access to Medicare.

Sadly after watching how terribly Democrats messed up health care reform and the public option debate, I doubt America will get this dream showdown–despite Ryan offering it to Democrats on a silver platter.

Read the full article at:

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2011/04/05/to-reduce-deficit-government-can-destroy-medicare-or-expand-it/

[ProSense]

1. "To Reduce Deficit, Government Can Destroy Medicare "

How exactly does destroying Medicare reduce the deficit?

[slipslidingaway]

2. knr ...

posted this last night, maybe more people will see your thread.

:)

[Better Believe It]

3. I didn't see your post. Glad you found it.

[slipslidingaway]

4. Another opening for the Dems to talk about HC for all :) n/t