Social Security / Cuts are Off The Table !

Harry Reid: Social Security Cuts are “Off the Table” !

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said this week that cuts to Social Security are “off the table” http://on.wsj.com/hP5w8w. Reid’s comments come as House Republican leaders have been cranking up the rhetoric about raising the retirement age and cutting Social Security. “This is a big indication that Harry Reid and other Democrats in the Senate will protect Social Security. GOP’s Medicare Privatization Efforts Continue: According to the Associated Press, months after they hammered Democrats for cutting Medicare, House Republicans are debating whether to re-launch their quest to privatize it. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) is testing support for his idea to replace Medicare with a fixed payment to buy a private medical plan from a menu of coverage options. GOP leaders will determine if the so-called voucher plan will be part of the budget Republicans put forward in the spring. Under Ryan's plan, those now 54 and under would get a fixed payment from the government when they become eligible at age 65. They would be able to use the voucher to buy a Medicare-approved private plan. The amount of the voucher would be based on total current Medicare spending and indexed to grow year by year thereafter. An Associated Press-GfK market research company poll last year found 51% opposed a voucher plan for Medicare, while 35% said they supported it. Opposition was strong among seniors and baby boomers. However, those born after 1980 favored the approach by 47% to 41%. “Rep. Ryan can try to dismantle Medicare, but seniors will not let him reach his goal !