Schumer accuses GOP of 'war on seniors'

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Future Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer trotted out a new messaging attack on Donald Trump and congressional Republicans on Tuesday, accusing the GOP of "plotting a war on seniors" with its plans to repeal Obamacare and potentially privatize Medicare.

Faced with having to swallow Rep. Tom Price's (R-Ga.) nomination as Trump's secretary of health and human services, Schumer is hoping that unified Democratic opposition to privatizing health care plans for seniors can be a rallying point — as well as a political shield to save endangered Democratic senators. Senate Democrats are defending five Senate seats in deeply conservative states in 2018, but Schumer vowed that his entire caucus will oppose any effort to change the current single-payer Medicare system for seniors.

"Between this nomination of an avowed Medicare opponent and the Republicans here threatening to privatize Medicare it's clear that Washington Republicans are plotting a war on seniors next year. Every senior, every American, should hear this loudly and clearly: Democrats will not let them win that fight," Schumer said. "Democrats from blue states, purple states, red states are going to link arm-and-arm to protect Medicare for our seniors and ensure that Republicans don't succeed in putting our seniors healthcare at risk."

A bid to make changes to entitlement programs is most likely to start in the House, where House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has suggested that a repeal of Obamacare should be paired with changes to programs like Medicare. Price has likewise listed Medicare reform as a key priority for Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) declined to address the matter on Tuesday and Trump has not voiced support for changing Medicare to a private insurance program.

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/chuck-schumer-gop-war-on-seniors-231951

[NBachers]

1. And they'll sabotage any hope of ever starting it back up.

[bravenak]

2. Poor Grandma better watch out! Republicans will take her medicare real soon

[Freethinker65]

3. No. It is a war on middle aged citizens and their children.

Seniors will be protected from any major changes. It is those 40 and older that were depending on Medicare and have seen how the plan has worked reasonably well for their parents and older relatives that will suffer. They will be told to work harder and save more with fewer years to catch up saving their money in HSAs...those HSAs that would be wiped out with one major illness with private insurance high deductibles and capped lifetime rates. Those with chronic or pre-existing conditions will go through any savings until they are indigent. No money transfer to any heirs of the middle or lower classes.

[madaboutharry]

4. Actually people under 55 years old

would be under something else.

Democrats must wage all out war against these changes.