GOP Embraces Medicare to Kill Health Care Reform

[babsbunny]

http://www.truthout.org/081709J

Monday 17 August 2009

by: Mike Lillis | Visit article original @ The Washington Independent

One year later, Republican leaders flip on Medicare spending cuts.

In a sharp switch from their historic reproach of government-backed health care, Republicans on Capitol Hill this year are embracing Medicare in their bid to kill the Democrats' health reform plans.

Last year, when the Bush administration rolled out its annual budget proposing more than $500 billion in Medicare cuts, many Republican leaders cheered the legislation as a necessary move in the direction of fiscal responsibility.

Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), then-minority whip, called the cuts "the needed first-step" to lend Medicare "a solid economic footing." House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said the proposal marked "an important starting point" for reining in Medicare spending. And Rep. Paul Ryan (Wis.), senior Republican on the House Budget Committee, cheered the plan for taking "a significant, critical step toward addressing the greatest threat to our nation's future strength and prosperity - the unsustainable growth of our largest entitlement programs."

[polichick]

1. Uh-oh, they're embracing socialism! nt

[eShirl]

2. they don't stand for anything... they only stand against the democrats doing anything