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Myth VS. Reality: Protecting Social Security, Medicare, & Medicaid

Myth vs. FACT: The GOP Budget on Social Security, Medicare, & Medicaid

 

Despite nearly universal agreement that reform is needed to ensure the future solvency of Social Security and Medicare, some in Washington have launched misleading attacks against any attempt to save and strengthen these programs for future retirees.  Some of the most common of these attacks against the Fiscal Year 2012 GOP budget plan introduced by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) are addressed below:

Myth: The GOP budget would “privatize” Social Security and/or Medicare.

FACT: The GOP budget does not privatize Social Security or Medicare.  It does not invest Social Security funds into the stock market, nor does it propose any changes to these programs for Americans 55 and older.  The government guarantee remains in place, and the GOP budget protects these essential programs for those 55 and older and saves and strengthens them for future generations of retirees. 

Myth: The GOP budget ends Medicare.

FACT: The GOP budget saves and strengthens Medicare to keep this important promise for future generations. Without reforms, the non-partisan Medicare trustees have said that Medicare will go bankrupt by 2024.

Myth:The GOP budget turns Medicare into a voucher system.

FACT:The GOP budget does not turn Medicare into a voucher system.  The budget proposes no changes for those in or nearing retirement, and those 55 or older would keep the current Medicare system for the rest of their life.  For those 54 and under, the Medicare system would be reformed and strengthened by providing future retirees with the option to choose current Medicare or a plan that best suits their needs from a list of guaranteed coverage options. The program would operate in a manner similar to the health insurance program enjoyed by Members of Congress.

Myth:Those currently receiving Medicare or approaching Medicare eligibility will see changes to the program that will disrupt their care.

FACT:The GOP budget includes no changes for those 55 and older.  The budget protects and preserves Medicare for those in or near retirement.

Myth: Health-costs will continue to rise and seniors will not be able to afford care.

FACT: The reforms in the GOP budget increase the affordability of care.  Reforms centered on choice and competition, as demonstrated by Medicare’s prescription drug program, have controlled costs while still maintaining high quality care.

Myth: The President’s health care law improved Medicare’s solvency.

FACT: The President’s healthcare law cut Medicare by $716 billion to pay for a new open-ended entitlement program. 

Myth: The GOP budget proposes to balance the budget with Medicaid cuts.

FACT: The GOP budget does not cut Medicaid.  In fact, the GOP budget spends more on Medicaid each year than it did before.  But it does so while lowering the cost curve to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program.  Only Washington politicians would call that a cut.