Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin says a Republican plan to overhaul Medicare is an assault on senior citizens. The Madison Democrat says the proposal approved earlier this month in the U.S. House would privatize the system, cut benefits, and force seniors to pay even more on their own to buy coverage from insurance companies.
The GOP argues the overhaul is needed to help reduce the federal deficit. Baldwin says it’s unfair to push senior citizens into poverty, when they are not responsible for the fiscal problems facing the country right now.
Speaking to seniors in Madison Wednesday, Baldwin said the proposal breaks a promise that they will have coverage if they worked hard and paid into the system.
Even though the Republican-controlled House approved the plan already, Baldwin admits it is unlikely to see action in the Senate. She also notes that the President has indicated he would not sign it.
Still, she says threats to the program remain as Republicans continue looking for spending cuts and she will oppose any effort to make changes in the Medicare plan. Baldwin says Congress must continue to seek prudent and responsible ways to reduce the federal deficit.