Politico - Why I Don't Back Ryan Medicare Plan

Op-Ed

By Senator Scott Brown

As part of the 2012 budget discussions, Congress is dealing with Medicare reform. This debate is long overdue, since its increasing cost must be addressed if we are serious about the nation's growing $14 trillion debt and $1.6 trillion annual deficit.

President Barack Obama unfortunately missed an opportunity to deal with this when he filed his budget. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) offered a plan that at least finally jumpstarted the debate. For those under 55, Ryan proposes transforming Medicare into a premium support plan over the long term. You'd get federal dollars to supplement the purchase of health insurance in a regulated private market.

While I applaud Ryan for getting the conversation started, I cannot support his specific plan -- and therefore will vote "no" on his budget.

Why can't I go along with the Ryan Medicare plan?

First, I fear that as health inflation rises, the cost of private plans will outgrow the government premium support-- and the elderly will be forced to pay ever higher deductibles and co-pays. Protecting those who have been counting on the current system their entire adult lives should be the key principle of reform.

Second, Medicare has already taken significant cuts to help pay for Obama's health care plan. The president and Congress cut a half trillion dollars to the private side of Medicare -- meaning seniors are at risk of losing their Medicare Advantage coverage.

Another key principle is that seniors should not have to bear a disproportionate burden. But that doesn't mean we do nothing. If Medicare is to survive for current beneficiaries and future generations, we must act. The sooner Congress addresses this, the less painful it is likely to be -- but more difficult adjustments will be required if we delay.

We should start by making improvements to the traditional Medicare plan.

The Government Accountability Office has estimated that nearly 10 percent, or $47 billion, of annual Medicare spending is nothing but waste, fraud or abuse. Attorney General Eric Holder has put the number higher -- at $60 billion. We need Medicare administrators to work to prevent these improper payments -- instead of the existing "pay and chase" model that makes the system so susceptible to fraud.

We can also find savings by increasing congressional oversight of how Medicare reimburses providers; as well as improving the quality of medical care to seniors.

I'd also institute tort reform to limit frivolous lawsuits. There are other ideas from members of both parties that can be incorporated into a bipartisan plan -- which has a good chance of passing Congress.

What's important is that we get started now and, where appropriate, phase changes in over time. This phase-in should be another principle of reform: give our future seniors enough years to adjust to the "new normal."

I have made boosting jobs, reducing spending and repairing our economy my top priorities in the Senate. I plan on continuing to work with people of goodwill - in either party - to solve the very real problems we face. Our country is on an unsustainable fiscal path.

But I do not think it requires us to change Medicare as we know it. We can work inside of Medicare to make it more solvent.

This is not the time for finger-pointing or the usual blame game. For every reckless decision - on both sides of the aisle - that led us to this point where we are $14 trillion in debt, we now will have to make a hard decision to help get the country on the right track.

That track must lead to a sound financial future -- where we protect and provide for the elderly while also promoting fiscal responsibility.

Source