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Rockefeller Statement on Ryan-Wyden Medicare Reform Plan

Statement

Date: Dec. 15, 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Senior Citizens Entitlements and the Safety Net Health and Health Care

Senator Jay Rockefeller today issued the following statement on the newly-announced plan to turn Medicare into a voucher program. The plan would arbitrarily cap Medicare spending without putting any protections in place for seniors seeking coverage.

"I have and always will oppose privatizing Medicare. This latest Ryan-Wyden plan still leaves seniors vulnerable. The best approach is the Independent Payment Advisory Board which helps to manage rising health care costs but protects seniors from cuts to their benefits or increases in premiums."

The Ryan-Wyden plan holds Medicare cost growth to a hard cap of GDP plus 1 percent, "plus inflation," beginning in 2023. If Medicare growth exceeds that amount, Congress could decide whether to cut providers or means-test premiums (forcing beneficiaries to pay more), or make other cost-cutting changes to the Medicare program. By contrast, the Independent Payment Advisory Board specifically protects seniors and people with disabilities from cuts in benefits or increases in premiums.


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