GOP Vice Presidential Candidate Shifts Debate on Medicare, Medicaid

August 17, 2012

With election day just a little over three month away the GOP’s presumptive presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, got temporarily knocked off message with his selection of Rep. Paul D. Ryan (R-Wisconsin) as his vice presidential running mate. Before his pick, Romney went after the sitting Democratic President with charges that he failed to bring the nation out of the greatest economic crisis since the great Depression. President had not brought employment to the millions of America’s unemployed.

With Ryan on board the debate now has shifted to how his Budget plan (passed twice in the Republican controlled House) would reconfigure the 77 year old Social Security program along with Medicare and Medicaid. Democrats expressed glee with Obama’s economic performance now being taken off the front page of nation’s

Newspapers to focus on Medicare and Medicaid. GOP strategists are working hard to figure out ways to bring a calm to swing states, like Florida, with a large number of voter baby boomers and senior, who vote.

Democratic critics are zeroing in on Ryan’s Medicare plan, one that would eliminate the current system where every beneficiary would get the same set of benefits, paid by collected taxes, to one that would give each person a fixed amount of money.

Ryan’s plan would allow those age 54 or younger who retire to be given the government payment to be used to either purchase insurance from the private sector from an approved list or from a government-run program similar to Medicare. People would pay more out-of-pocket if they wanted to purchase a more comprehensive health plan. The federal government would regulate the participating private insurance industry, also providing more financial assistance to poor and sick. The program’s eligibility age would increase from 65 to 67 by 2034.

Finally, Ryan would put the nation’s Medicaid program, that provides health care to the poor and disabled, on the chopping block. Under Ryan’s plan, funding would be cut by a third and the remaining federal funds would be funneled to the states as a block grant to be used at the state’s discretion.

Attack Internet Video Highlights GOP Proposed Medicare Cuts

The Obama campaign moved swiftly to capitalize on the uproar over Ryan’s controversial budget plan of fixing Medicare and Medicaid. At the beginning of this week the campaign released a new Internet video accusing GOP’s Romney and Ryan of seeking to destroy the nation’s Medicare and Medicaid programs.

This recently released campaign video, entitled “What do Floridians think about the Romney-Ryan plan to end Medicare as we know it,” ties Romney firmly to his vice president’s prescription of reforming two of the nation’s domestic policy programs, a plan that has recently become a lightening rod, attracting political controversy.

To date over 76,479 viewers have watched the Obama campaign video on YouTube, attack the GOP Presidential contender and his running mate. Throughout the one :minute and 42 second video, five older Floridian residents expressed their concerns about the Romny/Ryan’s politically-charged proposal to make draconian cuts to Medicare.

“It doesn’t make sense to cut Medicare,” says one older woman, who then says, “If we cut it now, what’s going to happen to our middle class?” Another woman chimes in, “Medicare is a boom for senior citizens who without that would choose between food and going to a doctor.”

Not a bad internet video to put a negative spin on Romney and Ryan in Florida, a key swing state where the Republican candidate will shortly visit and the site for the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, on August 27, 2012.

Republicans are attempting to soften negative attacks being lobbed at the Romney camp by attacking President Obama on his huge cuts to Medicare, amounting to $716 billion, that included in his enacted 2010 Affordable Care Act. They allege that the President used the cut funds from Medicare to finance his health care reform package. Democrats have pointed out the hypocrisy of this political charge by noting that Ryan had included $700 billion in Medicare cuts in his own budget plan, many of which can be found in Obamacare, the President’s landmark legislation reforming the nation’s health care system.

Romney Distances Himself from Partner’s Medicare Budget Fixes

Two days ago, Mitt Romney, appearing on “CBS This Morning, Romney moved to separate himself from Ryan’s controversially-charged reforms to completely overhaul Medicare and Medicaid by saying that “Congressman Ryan has joined my campaign, and his campaign is my campaign now, ” noting that “We’re exactly on the same page.”

At the Wednesday CBS News interview, when Romney was asked about Ryan’s proposed Medicare cuts, he suggested that the Wisconsin Republican Congressman would support his plan which would not include huge Medicare cuts. “The president’s cuts of $716 billion to Medicare, those cuts are going to be restored if I become president and Paul Ryan becomes vice president,” pledged the GOP Presidential Candidate, in his first solo interview on “CBS This Morning,” since he selected Ryan as his vice presidential running mate.

“My commitment is, if I become president, I’m going to restore that $716 billion to the Medicare trust fund so that current seniors can know that trust fund is not being raided and we’re going to make sure – and get Medicare on track to be solvent long-term on a permanent basis,” added Romney.

Domestic Programs Touching Everyone’s Life

“With fewer jobs offering pensions and people struggling to save for retirement, Social Security will be even more important for younger generations,” notes AARP President Rob Romasco, noting that more than one in three working households age 21 to 64 has no individual savings set aside for retirement. His comment was released last with the polling findings from a 2012 Voter Survey.

Among the findings, 59 percent of Americans polled fear that the negative effects of the economic downturn on their retirement savings will force them to rely more heavily on Social Security and Medicare — programs they are concerned that elected officials aren’t doing enough to protect.

The AARP survey of voters age 50 plus also found that six in ten plan to rely on Social Security and Medicare even more due to the recent economic downturn. The same survey found that the respondents’ top financial worry is prices rising faster than their income, and the overwhelming majority (91 percent) agree that the next President and Congress need to strengthen Social Security so that it is able to provide retirement security for future generations

“Last year, while politicians in Washington discussed changes like reducing the COLA as part of a backroom budget deal, AARP fought to protect Social Security. One thing we’ve heard consistently from our members and all older Americans is that keeping up with inflation is one of Social Security’s most important features,” he continued.

“It’s these voices – the voices of Americans who have paid into the program – that politicians should be listening to when they consider its future,” says AARP CEO A. Barry Rand, noting that his aging group has launched “You’ve Earned a Say,” an initiative (www.earnedasay.org) to ensure that voters have factual information about the Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid policy debates inside the Washington Beltway, and platform to speak out about how any proposed changes would effect them personally.

Romney’s selection of Ryan as his vice-presidential running mate has now put Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid on the voter’s radar screen.

Now is the time for aging baby boomer and senior voters to send a blunt message to the sitting President, his opponents Romney and Ryan, especially those Congressional candidates that you will meet at public events in the OceanState, or even at your door step when they come to personally ask for your vote. That is, political gridlock is no longer acceptable to you and that the nation’s domestic policy issues must be solved through bipartisan efforts.”

Meaningful legislative fixes, often derailed by “no-compromise” lawmakers should not longer be sent to Capitol Hill.

A Final Note…End the nastiness of this political campaign by educating yourself about the issues. AARP’s “You’ve Earned a Say” will be in evidence McCoy Stadium Sunday (Aug. 19th) when the PawSox play Buffalo in a 1:05 p.m. game. Following the game, the aging group will have a booth as part of the PawSox Fan Appreciation Day. People attending the event can fill out a “You’ve Earned a Say” questionnaire that measures their opinions and concerns on the future of Medicare and Social Security.

Herb Weiss is a Pawtucket-based freelance writer who covers aging, health care and medical issues. He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com.

Financially Surviving Your Retirement Years

Published August 10, 2012, Pawtucket Times

Moving into their mid-fifties and sixty’s a growing number of Baby boomers wonder if Social Security benefits in their retirement year’s will even pay the bills. Will they be able to survive in their “golden years”?

Federal officials say that there may be cause for alarm.

At the end of April, the released 242 page Social Security Trustee’s report, picked up by the nation’s media, gave bleak but “advanced” warning to future retirees that the Social Security program can pay full benefits until 2033, however, warning that probably only three-quarters of promised benefits could be paid out beyond that time.

So it is not so surprising that the Associated Press (AP), a media cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio, and televisions in the United States, announced last week that the news agency will publish a four part series, to be released over four Sundays in August, examining the long-term financial viability of the nation’s Social Security program. The series plans to also take a look at policy proposals that will be debated during the upcoming election by Presidential and Congressional candidates, that might strengthen, the nation’s primary retirement program.

AP recognized that Social Security, a very politically-charged issue, is a topic that must be discussed meaningfully in the upcoming November election. Because of this AP has chosen to bring substantive coverage of this important policy issue to the upcoming political debates that will take place in the upcoming months.

“Few things affect more Americans than the future of Social Security, and yet it’s an issue most invisible during the current campaign, said AP Washington Bureau Chief Sally Buzbee, who is directing the series. “This series of stories tires to lay out complex issues in the most accessible way possible. This is part of the ongoing efforts by The Associated Press this fall to make sure issues [like Social Security] aren’t absent from the campaign, but front and center…”states Buzbee.

The headline of AP’s first report, published story on the upper fold of the August 6 issue of the Pawtucket Times, warn’s that “Social Security not deal it once was.” The AP wire story notes that today’s retirees will be the first to have paid more in Social Security taxes during their lifetime careers than they will ultimately receive in retirement benefits once they retire. Previous retirees paid less payroll taxes but got more benefits.

Planning Key to Adequate Retirement Funds

If Social Security bennies are chopped taking personal responsibility in planning your retirement may well become your financial safety net in your later years.

Economic woes fueled by the worst economic downturn since America’s Great Depression, have left many Baby boomers financially struggling to make ends meet and to save adequately for their retirement years, according to survey findings released in July 23, 2012 by the Consumer Federation of America (CFP) and the Financial Planner Board of Standards.

According to a 60-page report, conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International (PSRAI), nearly two-fifths (38%) of the 1,508 household financial decision-makers surveyed said they live paycheck to paycheck, while less than one-third (30%) indicated they felt comfortable financially and only about one-third (34%) think they can afford to retire by age 65.

Survey findings indicated that only 31 percent of respondents said they had a comprehensive financial plan, while about two-thirds (65%) indicated they follow a plan for at least one of their savings goals. Those who have prepared a personal savings plan feel more confident and report more success managing money, savings and investments than those who don’t.

By a margin of 50 percent to 32 percent, and for all but the lowest income bracket (under $25,000) where few have a comprehensive plan, those planning for retirement are more likely to feel they are on pace to meet all of their financial goals, such as saving for retirement or for emergencies, stated the survey findings.

Additionally, an even larger margin of 52 percent to 30 percent, and across all income brackets, those planning for their retirement years are more likely to feel “very confident” about managing money, savings and investments;

Kevin R. Keller, CEO of CFP Board: “Consumers understandably are more nervous about investing their money given recent revelations about financial fraud, manipulation and abuse of clients. This doesn’t mean that people shouldn’t create a financial plan and be prepared.

Taking Personal Action NOW

Unless strong political pressure is placed on Congress to act swiftly to enact needed policy changes to fix the nation’s ailing Social Security program, expect political gridlock to continue to block any efforts in both Chambers to come up with bipartisan solutions.

Don’t get caught up in the political spins and negative rhetoric as Presidential and Congressional candidates begin their debates on Social Security before the upcoming September primaries and November election. Become an educated voter and tell the Congressional candidates who seek your vote to seek bipartisan solutions to making the Social Security Trust fund solvent once and for all.

Watch out for AP’s upcoming reports on Social Security to learn more about this important policy issue. That’s a good first step. Second, learn more about AARP’s “You’ve Earned a Say’ initiative (www.earnedasay.org), a web site that can provide aging baby boomers with both factual and straightforward information about retirement policies being debated inside the Beltway by Congress, ones that hopefully will financially strengthen the nation’s Social Security program.

But on a personal level, until federal lawmakers get serious about financially shoring up the nation’s retirement program, developing a personal financial plan may well become an effective short-term solution to managing your money, savings and investments that could well supplement a shrinking Social Security check. One useful tool is the website LetsMakeaPlan.org, allows a person to learn more about preparing a financial plan, including working with a financial planning professionals.

Herb Weiss is a Pawtucket-based freelance writer who covers aging, health care and medical issues. He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com

On the Political Art of Compromise

Published on August 3, 2012, Pawtucket Times

The bipartisan spirit is briefly alive and well inside the Beltway. With the Presidential and Congressional elections looming, just a little more than three months away, top Democratic and Republican Leadership this week forged an agreement to pass a “continuing resolution” to keep the federal government afloat for six months after the current budget year ends at the end of September.

Politically speaking, who wants to face the wrath of American voters fueled by the possibility of a government shut down before Election Day on November 6, 2012? Not our lawmakers.

After the upcoming November election, America’s political system may well become more polarized creating Congressional gridlock, if Tea Party candidates come to Washington, DC supporting the philosophy of “no-compromise.” If this occurs major policy decisions like reforming the nation’s retirement system and keeping Medicare afloat might happen only when the proverbial “Hell freezes over.”

Tea Party on the Rampage

Tea Party backed candidate, Ted Cruz, won the Texas Republican Senate primary this week, potentially tilting the Senate toward the right if he wins in November. Over the years, we have seen moderate Republicans toppled by candidates aligned to the Tea Party who view working across the aisle as a weakness and compromise as a political sin.

In one instance, Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a six-term GOP Senator lost his Republican primary race two months ago against State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, who was backed by a coalition of Tea Party-aligned groups. In his concession speech, the 80 year old Lugar warned Mourdock that his goal of riding “the Republican Party of those who stray from orthodoxy as they see it” won’t be able to problem solve or govern.” The longest serving Senator in the State’s history also warned that “unless he modifies his approach, he will achieve little as a legislator.”

Last February, Senator Olympia Snow, of Maine, chose voluntary to walk away from the U.S. Senate after being a moderate voice in that chamber of 33 years, noting her decision was based on intense partisan bickering that now echoes throughout the Halls of Congress.

“Politics has been defined as the art of the possible. That means compromise on both sides is needed to move the public business forward,” says Susan Sweet, a well-know lobbyist and consultant for nonprofit agencies and causes. While the Democratic Party encompasses people of wide philosophies, the Republican party has become a party of “intransient idealogues,” observes Sweet. “Their sharp turn to the right has distanced and alienated moderate Republicans who previously formed a bridge for compromise and progress. Moderates, like the late Senator Nelson Rockefeller of New York and the late Senator John Chafee were examples of the politicians who knew the art of politics, how to negotiate and when to compromise.

Reaching Across the Aisle

But wait, Senator Orrin Hatch, concludes in an opinion piece, “Ted Kennedy: Later Senator Sought Bipartisan,” in the October 22, 2009, published in US News, you can support your political party’s philosophy and still be bipartisan, too.

The Republican Senator from Utah, who has served his state since 1977, considered Kennedy, who fought for the principles and philosophy of the Democratic Party, one of the nation’s greatest leaders for reaching across the aisle.

Considered to be one of the most liberal Democrats in the last 50 years, who spearheaded almost every Democratic cause, Senator Hatch applauded his friends “ability and willingness to set party aside when there was some good to be done.”

According to Senator Hatch in his opinion piece, the failing of American politics results from “politicians being too willing to toe the party line,” not wanting to compromise their political agenda, “even when accepting the ideas and contributions of those outside their Party will advance their cause.”

Sen. Hatch also viewed the late Democratic Senator’s lasting political legacy was “his unwillingness to let partisanship ruin a good opportunity to help those in need, and his ability to inspire others to follow his example.”

Also, noted in Sen. Hatch’s USNews opinion piece, when in the minority, Senator Kennedy successfully enacted legislation because of his willingness to “move to the center or even the center-right when he recognized that Republicans shared his goals, even if they had different ideas on how to achieve those goals.”

When the Democrats-controlled Congress, Senator Kennedy reached out to the minority GOP to get his legislation passed. Senator Hatch noted that Massachusetts Senior Senator “had the political courage to defy interest groups and even his own party in order to reach bipartisan compromise,” to move legislation, specifically, the Children Health Insurance Program, the Ryan White AIDS Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

Darrell West, Vice President and Director of Governance Studies at the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution, views Senator Kennedy’s most famous bipartisan legislation to be No Child Left Behind. “He worked closely with President George W. Bush to pass this bill. He reached across the political aisle and was able to bring Republicans and Democrats together to pass this education reform, said the former Rhode Islander, noting that this was one of many such bipartisan successes on the Senator’s part. There are few people left in the Senate who have the interest in or credibility for this type of outreach.

Campaigns Gearing Up for Votes

By now, political candidates are mailing campaign literature to aging baby boomers and seniors, hoping to effectively deliver their political messages and ultimately to influence their votes.

As the nation pulls out of the economic doldrums, voters must educate themselves to the real issues and read in between the lines of campaign literature to learn more about the candidate’s background and issues.

Marking the ballot in the voting booth becomes even more difficult in heated partisan campaigns where you must separate political bickering, rhetoric and negative innuendoes from the substance of issues.

Keeping Social Security afloat, fixing a broken Medicare program, or bringing fairness to the nation’s tax codes, will not happen if Congress cannot compromise or negotiate on legislative proposals. No longer can our elected officials view issues either black or white, but can be shades of gray.

Rising to the Political Occasion

Even with his human frailties, Sen. Kennedy rose to the political occasion time after time and to confront legislative challenges by reaching out to both political friends and foes. One might say he wrote the tome on the art of political compromise and negotiations, a guide for both his Democratic and Republican Congressional Colleagues to follow.

The rise of the Tea Party and its political philosophy of “no-compromise” and “torch and burn” to ensure ideological purity, will have an adverse impact on every generation, from today’s seniors, their aging baby boomer children, and finally, to their young grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Where are the Republican Congressional moderates of today when the nation sorely need’s them to do the public’s business.

Herb Weiss is a Pawtucket-based freelance writer who covers aging, health care and medical issues. This commentary was published in the August 3, 2012 issue of the Pawtucket Times. He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com.