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GOP’s ‘Young Guns’ Want to Privatize Medicare | Health | Change.org var $j = jQuery.noConflict(); var _gaq = [["_trackPageview","/blog/view/gops_young_guns_want_to_privatize_medicare"]]; // Environment Variables var ENV = {}; ENV['BITLY_LOGIN'] = ‘change’; ENV['BITLY_API_KEY'] = ‘R_b0212d1925f49ac025bdc40b95931393′; ENV['GA_USER_TYPE'] = ‘Guest’;
It’s unusual to find cat food at a book release, but that’s what representatives of the labor-backed Alliance for Retired Americans were handing out to the attendees of the launch party for “Young Guns: A New Generation of Conservative Leaders.” Among other things, the book outlines ways to privatize Social Security and Medicare into a voucher system.
The protest targeted Representative Paul Ryan (R-Wis), who co-authored the book with House Republicans Eric Cantor of Virginia and Kevin McCarthy of California. All won their campaigns last night.
“We’ll all be eating cat food when we’re old and gray,” a protester shouted to attendees, Kaiser Health News reports. They raised up the cans of cat food, calling them “young gun chow” and “Ryan retirement meal.”
Privatizing Medicare is something that’s been threatened by conservatives numerous times. The idea is to get rid of Medicare over time by giving seniors a payment to purchase private health coverage. Ryan, the top Republican on the House Budget Committee and a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, has particular sway over the programs. Although previous legislation hasn’t gained much traction, the Republicans leading the House could help push forward the agenda.
The Alliance, which is composed of labor groups such as the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Teachers and the Strengthen Social Security Campaign, has organized similar rallies across the country leading up the election. They’ve been trying to bring attention to Ryan’s ideas and how it will impact seniors.
Medicare is the federal health insurance program that provides coverage to 43 million Americans who are age 65 and older or who are younger than 65 and receiving Social Security disability payments.
It’s no surprise there’s a vocal opposition to the idea, mainly lead by union and retired worker groups. Previous attempts at privatizing certain parts of Medicare haven’t been met with much approval or cost-savings. The Medicare Advantage program, for instance, was meant to save money by allowing Medicare patients to receive their coverage through private plans. Instead, it resulted in seniors paying more for prescription drugs.
In addition, it ended up costing the government more, because the insurance companies were using money on administration and profits and not on direct health care.
The fight over the privatization of Medicare and Social Security is going to heat up, given that the “young guns” and their allies are now in office. And the legion of cat-food wielding activists is only likely to grow bigger.
Photo credit: nffcnnr
Brie Cadman is Change.org’s health editor. Previous professions include biochemist, clinical trial coordinator, indoor air pollution researcher and farm hand. She earned her Master of Public Health from U.C. Berkeley.
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