GOP opposes public will on Medicare

If Congressional Republicans — including Washington’s own U.S. Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler, Dave Reichert, Cathy McMorris Rodgers and “Doc” Hastings — were listening to the American public, they wouldn’t be pushing so hard to turn Medicare over to Big Insurance through a voucher program and slash Medicaid for seniors, children and people with disabilities.

On April 15, all of Washington’s Republican Representatives supported a budget that would phase out Medicare and slash Medicaid. (Although Rep. Reichert missed the vote because of his mother’s deteriorating health, he issued a statement saying he supported it.) Every member of Washington’s Democratic delegation voted against the proposal cutting Medicare.

But a just-released Washington Post/ABC poll shows that more than three-fourths (78%) of Americans do not want Medicare cut to reduce the national debt, including 65% who are strongly opposed. This compares with just 21% who favor cutting the program.

Nearly two-thirds (65%) prefer keeping the Medicare system the way it is rather than replacing it with a fixed amount voucher to be used to purchase private health insurance.

TAKE ACTION!

This week you have a chance to make sure Congress hears your voice. On April 27 and 28 in more than 50 cities in 18 states, activists from the Strengthen Social Security, Don’t Cut It, coalition, which includes the AFL-CIO and the Alliance for Retired Americans, will hold events at congressional district offices to tell their lawmakers hands off Social Security and Medicare.

Although there are no events planned in Washington state, you join a virtual rally here. Spread the word via e-mail, Facebook, or Twitter.