Minority leader-elect Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) released a defiant statement on Friday in response to reports that Congressional Republicans plan to shift Medicare towards a more privatized system now that the GOP controls both chambers of Congress and the White House.
“The Republicans’ ideological and visceral hatred of government could deny millions of senior citizens across the country the care they need and deserve,” Schumer said in the statement. “To our Republican colleagues considering this path, Democrats say: make our day. Your effort will fail, and this attack on our seniors will not stand.”
The New York Times reported Thursday that House Republicans plan to move forward on plans to shift Medicare towards a system based on fixed government contributions that Democrats have decried as a “voucherization” of the program.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) brought up his desire to make an overhaul of Medicare one of Congress’ priorities soon after the election. Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), chairman of the powerful House Budget Committee, told reporters on Capitol Hill not long after that Republicans were considering moving on major changes to Medicare in the next six to eight months. President-elect Donald Trump waffled on plans to drastically change Medicare during the campaign, but earlier this week, his campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said Trump was open to considering Ryan’s proposals as well as other alternatives.
Read the full Schumer statement below:
“Medicare is one of the most successful government programs ever created – it’s been a success story for decades. The Republicans’ ideological and visceral hatred of government could deny millions of senior citizens across the country the care they need and deserve. To our Republican colleagues considering this path, Democrats say: make our day. Your effort will fail, and this attack on our seniors will not stand.”
— U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer
Trump: We will abolish Medicare completely. Seniors can get care at very reasonable rates at any of Trump Hospitals, located in the basement of Trump Towers. If you dont tell anyone, we will even do abortions after it gets outlawed in 2017.
“Overhaul” Medicare? WTF. “Scrap.”
Well, I’m not holding my breath about this. The Senator from Wall Street has sold us out too many times…
And how is Schumer proposing to do this? Hold his breath until the Repubs give up? They have the majority and they have already passed this at least once. Only President Obama’s veto saved it. Trump will do whatever they say.
You have such a positive view of things!
The Dems can filibuster, they can put a hold on the bill, they can get 2 marginally sane GOP Senators to join them in voting it down—for starters.
It’s lefties like you and attitudes like yours that put Pres-elect PG where he is now.