Newt Gingrich may have ended his career by crossing House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan on Medicare. Now we’ll see how Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., fares. In an op-ed submitted to Politico, Brown writes:
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.
Second, Medicare has already taken significant cuts to help pay for Obama’s health care plan.
Another key principle is that seniors should not have to bear a disproportionate burden.
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.
Second, Medicare has already taken significant cuts to help pay for Obama’s health care plan.
Another key principle is that seniors should not have to bear a disproportionate burden.
So what is Brown’s plan? End waste, fraud, and abuse!!
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.
