GOP Quietly Introduces Bill To Gut Medicare, Medicaid & Social Security

[LongTomH]

Straight from the lowest circle of Hell: BREAKING: GOP Quietly Sends Bill To Gut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid By $2 Trillion:

As the entire nation is focused on the Trump administration’s abhorrent treatment of minority children at the border, Republicans in Congress just quietly passed a bill through committee that will substantially affect seniors.

According to ranking member John Yarmuth who is on the House Committee of the Budget, the GOP are fast tracking their ability to gut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The bill is set to go to the House floor next and is expected to easily pass.

Today during consideration of the Republican budget, Democrats offered amendment after amendment to advance the needs and priorities of the American people. We proposed protecting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, ending extreme cuts to infrastructure, education and nutrition assistance, and even ensuring that surviving military spouses receive full benefits with no penalties. At every turn, Republicans voted to protect their $2 trillion in tax cuts for millionaires and big corporations instead of American families.”

.................//snip

Republicans are naming their budget: “A Brighter American Future.” It would seek to privatize senior healthcare, giving seniors the option of enrolling in private plans instead of Medicare. They say this will save the federal government $537 billion over the next decade in Medicare costs.

The cuts to Medicaid would be much steeper. If enacted, it would limit per-capita payments to the poor and turn it into a block-grant program. That’s expected to save $1.5 trillion.

Social Security would be impacted substantially less than the previous two reforms, an estimated $4 billion. Republicans plan on only cutting insurance for those with disabilities and receipts for unemployment benefits.

Of course, all this happened while we were focused on Trump's abominable policies of separating families. Diversion is a tactic in politics as well as stage magic!!

[chillfactor]

1. may they all burn in hell

for eternity....they have no hearts, no souls, no sense of humanity. What do seniors like me do when our lives depend on these programs?

[Scarsdale]

19. They are hoping

we die. Save money by stopping THEIR healthcare and pension plans. Let them fund their own retirement accounts instead of taking money from taxpayers. They all retire as millionaires, from the "donations" to their Pacs and their "charities" Give taxpayers a break, stop their medical and pension plans. Bastards should be burned at the stake, not voted into office. Ryan needs to be cut down to size. Evil bastard went to school, funded by Social Security. Now he is a millionaire, and wants to prevent anyone else from doing what his family did for him. WHY do working class fools vote for gop members? They are all cut from the same cloth. Now they have their orange assed poster boy in the WH, so all bets are off for them to do anything decent.

[olegramps]

21. Elections have consequences.

People were forewarned that this would happen if they allowed the scumbag Republicans to win. Maybe, just maybe, the people will wakeup, but I am not counting on it. If you want to know what is the future of the nation just two out of hundreds of stats are enough. The biggest employer was General Motors. In today's dollars their pay was $30.00 per hour. They had medical care and pensions. Today the biggest employer is Walmart. The average pay is $8.00 per hour, no medical, no pension. Upward mobility that kids could look forward to was 90%, to day it is 50% and rapidly falling. Good luck kids. Your parents pissed away your heritage because 30% were totally brainwashed with hatred and 40% did said: I SURE DON'T CARE. DO YOU?

[northremembers]

2. That isn't saving us money

Taking money from people on fixed incomes may save Republican tax cuts, but the expenses are still there. The cost shifts to their middle aged offspring who are already buying most of the consumer goods, paying for their kids' education, and on their mortgages. Instead of a tax cut we get a HUGE cost increase with no ceiling, unless we are willing to stand by and do nothing while our parents die.

These programs are not general budget programs. We pay special taxes to fund them. That is our money. We want it to go to our parents, not to contracts to billionaire campaign contributors.

[CaptainTruth]

17. Bingo! Well said. nt

[Beartracks]

30. Yes, their bullshit only "saves money" on paper.

The societal costs will be much, much greater than that dollar amount.

=========

[OliverQ]

3. This really scares me.

My mom is going on Medicare next year. If she can't get it, she won't be able to have healthcare anymore

[CrispyQ]

29. Oh she'll probably get it, it'll just cost more & she'll get fewer benefits. -nt

[Vinca]

4. I sure hope the Trumphumping seniors at "The Villages" hear about this.

[Useless in FL]

7. +1

[snowybirdie]

18. Spent six months there

Thought I'd go crazy! Sold the first day to a rw retiree. That place is bananas! Got my money back as well as my sanity.

[Vinca]

41. I used to think I wanted to go south for the winter, but to heck with it. I'll stay with the snow.

[snowybirdie]

48. You can survive

With progressive media and lots of library books

[Bettie]

40. They don't care

they are from the years when people received robust pensions after a lifetime of working. Their social security is just their 'mad money'.

[shockey80]

5. Thats always their goal, they always fail.

[asiliveandbreathe]

6. Statement from schakowsky who sits on the budget committee.....

A brighter future my arse....

Link to tweet

I spent most of yesterday in the Budget Committee debating the #GOPBudget, looking my Republican colleagues in the eye as they tried to justify a budget that includes massive cuts to Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid just to pay for the deficit created by the #GOPTaxScam.

[treestar]

53. This should be the lead story in the news

I swear they had Melodrama wear that jacket just to distract. And the media falls for it!

[smirkymonkey]

8. Why aren't we out there warning people about what they are doing?

Nobody in their right mind would go for this. Why are the Democrats so silent about what the republicans are doing to this country? I am so frustrated!

[defacto7]

9. They're not silent. They're being ignored.

[Beartracks]

31. This. n/t

[smirkymonkey]

47. I'm sorry, but I am not seeing it. There are a few people speaking up, but only those of

us who are political junkies hear the message. The general public is not hearing it. The party needs to get the message out to the masses via the media that this is what the republicans are doing to them. Most people are not aware of this.

[defacto7]

50. I agree the general public is not hearing it

but I put most of the blame on the RW owned media. They are the ones ignoring our message. Lies and entertainment news sells where basic living facts of life are a hard sell. The media follows the money and their management. How do you propose we circumvent that wall?

[LongTomH]

12. The outrages come so fast, people hardly have time to react.................

We're still reacting to Trump's horrendous 'Zero Tolerance' policies, and yeah, that's me too. I've already committed to a Rally to Protect Families, tomorrow in Kansas City.

With all this happening, we still need to take time to make certain we take back the House this November.

[Hortensis]

35. WE'RE NOT!!!!! THIS is just the latest move on old news.

We knew this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You knew this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVERY Republican government since Nixon has run the nation into debt to block funding of social programs. And it's gotten more blatant with every administation. When did you NOT know they always intended to destroy SS and Medicare, with all the rest, and that their kleptocratic controllers have decided now is the time when they will finally destroy progressive government and dismantle ALL New Deal programs and every one that came after?

Long before the Republicans passed the Tax Heist with the specific intention of driving the nation into debt, we knew they would do it and told the nation. When they did it. we told the nation what they did and why.

We also knew a huge reason for both emptying the budget and creating huge national debt was to give them a huge excuse for further huge cuts to social programs. We knew this and told the nation.

We will tell the nation again and again and again and again and again.



Fwiw, this is a house bill and will not pass in this form -- before the midterms. And after, if IDIOT VOTERS don't sabotage our chances again, we will control congress and they'll have lost.

[smirkymonkey]

46. WE know this. We here at DU know this. People who are paying

attention know this. But the general population does NOT know this! There needs to be a total media blitz about this and there isn't. Too many people do not know what is going on. They don't know what is REALLY going on and our side needs to scream the truth at the top of our lungs if we are to save this country.

[Hortensis]

49. People right here don't know NOW and there's no excuse!!!!

We've BEEN screaming out there and right here!!!!! And some wonder why they weren't told. For God's sake I'd gladly tell them with a baseball bat if I could.

All through 2015 and 2016 -- AND all through 2017 -- we talked and talked and talked again and again about this and were shown by the Republicans again and again the giant stakes.

And here we are with THIS thread???? Four and a half months from the midterms???!!!

Even some Republicans have known what's happening better than this. Both the Tea Party and Trump were idiot rebellions against their donor-controlledRepublican "the establishment" that is scheming and planning to take away Social Security and Medicare. And everything else, including the horrible, awful ACA!

[Kittycow]

10. Only cut insurance on those with disabilities...

How does that make sense! I have to go live under a bridge soon?

[pangaia]

15. It makes sense because they/you can not "get out of their wheelchairs"

to fight back, as it were.


They ALWAYS go after the most vulnerable first.

[Ilsa]

33. The disabled frequently can't advocate very well or as well

for themselves if they are cognitively, behaviorally, or physically disabled. They are the easiest group to pick on.

[Wellstone ruled]

11. Are we paying attention yet????

Ryan and McConnell are reading the Polls,and they have to get their Corporate Sponsors Legislation done other wise,it may take forty years before they get their chances once again.

[olegramps]

22. It is like what the minister said about the Nazis. He failed to act until it was too late.

[Wellstone ruled]

43. To many memories of the Forties

coming back after this last couple of months.

Still to this day,remember how many a Parent tried no to talk about what was happening. Did not want to bring shame on the Families.

[Dustlawyer]

13. Class Warfare!!!

Isn’t that what they say when we propose the wealthy pay their share of taxes!

[Metro135]

14. Republicans are naming their budget: "A Brighter American Future for Billionaires."

[StarzGuy]

16. I am one who recieves

SSDI and have been doing so since I became permanently disabled in 2010. I still have about 16 months before I reach normal retirement age of 65. I rely on my SSDI benefit for everything from rent, food, car payments, insurance utilities, etc. Even then it isn't enough to make ends meet. I also have a small pension which helps. Even combined it is insufficient to make ends meet. I now access local food bank twice monthly for food boxes. I also rely on a very special friend to help make bills.

I will lose my apartment and car if the republican plan to cut my disability in any way shape or form. I actually need more not less.

I will never be able to work again in my field let alone any job that requires the use of hands and lot of standing and moving around on foot.

Republicans simply do not care about their own poor citizens let alone the illegal aliens that are flooding across our borders. It is not just the border with Mexico, it also includes the majority of those over staying their visas that arrive by boat, plane, train, which ever.

Democrats, haven't been kind to persons like me even when they had the reigns of congress and the white house. Why are they spending so much of their time on the illegal aliens when there are Amerian citizens who are struggling? I just don't understand this. I think they are on the wrong side of this issue and will never be able to get independents and moderates to support the party because of their precieved open border advocacy.

the main street media are whores when it comes to covering the illegal alien saga. They only seem to cover and care about one side of the problem. And, by constantly calling these border jumpers, "migrants" clouds the issue. It is a softer way to describe these illegals. As if there was some policy in place that welcomes everyone who wishes to come here.

The US simply can not take in all these persons. If it continues it will destroy our country including the environment, stresses on institutions, such as education, safety net, food banks, medical, etc. I for one wish I could "immigrate" to a country that has a higher standard of living such as Sweden and other similar countries. But, I can't, because if I were to arrive on a visa and overstay it, it would be illegal. Besides, I don't speak their language. Like it or not, I am stuck in the US, disabled, poor and will more than likely end up living under an over pass on I-40. That is trump villege living at its best.

I may not bother voting this fall. Why? because no matter my vote nothing is going to change. I've been voting (democratic always) ever since I turned 18. But things have only gotten worse for me regardless of who is in control of the government.

I wish I could get one of thiose habitat for humanity homes built for me. But, I don't count as a single white male who is disabled with a minimum of income and unable to work.

I read an article this morning about the bad economic conditions of Millennials for their future.

The 1% just get richer and the rest of just just get screwed. Life expectantcy in the US is falling. Our institutions are extremely stressed, the UN report on poverty in America is worsening as Economic inequality increases. I see no future for me.

[SammyWinstonJack]

23. Ugh.

[olegramps]

27. I am totally sympathetic to your situation. But when did the Democrats cut these programs?

Every program to help the those in need was passed by Democrats against the will of the Republicans to stop them dating from FDR to today. Who just passed massive tax cuts for the rich. It wasn't the Democrats. The only hope that you have is the Democrats. I can't understand why you say that you will not vote. The biggest problem facing us is the unequal distribution of wealth. The only hope I see is for the Republicans to be thrown out of every office in the nation. This is their disaster and one they are totally enjoying.

[jimmil]

20. I wondered when this was going to happen.

It seems when Trump et. al. creates some huge hubbub with one hand the other is busy doing huge damage elsewhere. The other shoe has fallen and we now see what this whole border thing has been for. Democrats fall for it every time.

[workinclasszero]

24. MORE MONEY FOR BILLIONAIRES!

Moremoremoremoremore till they are the only ones that have any!

[Thekaspervote]

25. It still has to pass the senate... which is unlikely

[shraby]

26. They do that, and Mr. Shraby and myself will be heading to Washington.

I would guess along with many other senior citizens, and there are a lot of us.

[LiberalLovinLug]

28. And that my friends is why they luvvvvvv their big stupid oaf of a President

The perfect foil for their abuses and thievery.
Because anything they do, no matter how deep or hard hitting, will be "trumped" by the big Don's latest embarrassing tweet or announcement or his wife's jacket.

[Beartracks]

32. Yeah. He is definitely their useful idiot. n/t

[Marthe48]

34. I emailed the person elected to this district

He is a puke, so he won't listen. But I got another chance to tell him what a bastard he s.

[geretogo]

36. Burn in Hell you filthy Fascists .

[The Blue Flower]

37. No reason it has to stay quiet, is there?

We all have phones and computers.

[PatSeg]

38. I just cannot understand

the kind of people who would do such a thing. I never get used to the cruelty and meanness of some politicians.

[heaven05]

39. my only consolation

this will also hurt the trumpers as it will hurt millions of us seniors. VA on the chopping block next.

[sweetroxie]

42. Those fuckers!!!! Damn them and their evil "hearts."

[SunSeeker]

44. K & R for exposure.

[dcbuckeye]

45. They don't have the votes for it

They need to get 60 votes in the Senate. They don't have 60 votes.

[treestar]

54. this is good, but it should still be big news the house wants to do it

So people can realize they need to get out and vote in November.

[beachbum bob]

51. Actually not too quiet as it's being reported and AARP is all over it

nearly 40 million members alone

[treestar]

52. Are they clever enough to manipulate this all along?

Orange Fuehrer did create the issue, and the Melodrama re the jacket was quite obvious. And this shows the failure of the media. Are they all talking about this? I bet not.

[colsohlibgal]

55. No Surprise

Highly doubt they will get his done if they did get it done it would be political suicide.