Ryan: 'We Will Decide Later' How And When To Tackle Medicare Privatization

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) said that plans to overhaul Medicare remain “unresolved” in the lead-up to Donald Trump’s inauguration. “We haven’t addressed that. That’s an unresolved issue. I haven’t even spoke with the president-elect about that,” Ryan told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel in a Monday interview.

The House speaker has for years proposed radical reforms to Medicare that involve replacing the current system with private health insurance supported in part by government subsidies.

A number of Republican House lawmakers, including Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, have called on Congress to move quickly on Medicare privatization now that the GOP has control of the House, Senate and White House. Some GOP senators have expressed reservations, however.

Ryan suggested he has no plan of dropping the issue but that the timing and method for taking on Medicare is not yet decided.

-snip-

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/paul-ryan-medicare-reform-unresolved-not-addressed-with-trump

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Ryan: Obamacare 'Transition' Will Take Time To Make Sure 'No One Is Worse Off'

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) acknowledged Monday that the GOP’s long-held goal of repealing and replacing Obamacare would take time and involve some kind of “transition" to ensure that Americans are not “worse off” after President Barack Obama’s signature health care program is dismantled.

“Clearly there will be a transition and a bridge so that no one is left out in the cold, so that no one is worse off,” Ryan told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “The purpose here is to bring relief to people who are suffering from Obamacare so that they can get something better.”

The House Speaker recently listed addressing Obamacare as one of his top four priorities for the new Congress, but his comments to the Journal-Sentinel suggest that replacing this complex legislation may not be done quickly.

“It will clearly take time. It took them about six years to stand up Obamacare. It’s not going to be replaced come next football season,” Ryan said.

-snip-

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/paul-ryan-transition-obamacare-ensure-no-one-worse-off

[OKNancy]

1. backing away - as usual

[pangaia]

9. ssshhh don't tempt him....

[wordpix]

19. "The House speaker has for years proposed radical reforms to Medicare"- we're already there

"The House speaker has for years proposed radical reforms to Medicare that involve replacing the current system with private health insurance supported in part by government subsidies." snip

I was very involved with my mother's end of life for 6 yrs. Now I am on Medicare. As I understand it, government agencies like HHS/Medicare negotiate with Pharma and Providers on prices. My guess is that private health insurance companies are in on the negotiations; Medicare aside, I do know the health insurance companies make their own deals with Pharma and Providers. The result is you might see a bill with fantasy numbers on it quite regularly, and the billing has nothing to do with the reality of what was provided ($3 per aspirin, for example).

The main point is, we are already moving in this radical direction. All experts advise buying Medicare Plus insurance b/c Medicare does not cover some things. These "plus" plans are sold by private health insurance companies. My mother's from AARP sending her to United Healthcare cost $171/mo., and she also paid for Medicare (around $50/mo). And with that coverage, she did not get dental benefits and she paid out of pocket about 50% for provider + pharma. So is Medicare such a great deal? NO! It should be strengthened but these repiglicans are too greedy for that.

I do understand that with the Endless Wars and Tax Havens repugs like so well, we're in the red bigly and can't afford to fix infrastructure including our health care system and costs.

[Dustlawyer]

26. When the goal is to try and not make it worse you know it will suck really bad!

Democrats need to hammer Ryan with things like, "What are you trying to fix since most elderly Americans like their Medicare?" (if only for the cost savings). Point out other areas of government that were privatized, like prisons. It hasn't worked out so well. Remind him what happened when Bush tried to privatize social security, right after it failed (thankfully) the stock market took a dump and most people would have lost their SS money right then had it passed.

We could make a huge savings on prescription drugs for bulk pricing, or paying what the insurance companies pay for the drugs. Funny, the same people that whine about the cost of Medicaid/Medicare are the ones who block bulk pricing for the programs.

[wordpix]

35. "same people that whine about the cost of Medicaid/Medicare are the ones who block bulk pricing"

I know. It's so obvious the repugs are only interested in their rich corporate friends and their campaign contributions, er, kickbacks Congressmen get for voting the oligarchs' way.

[DK504]

20. Does he understand

the uprising if he actually tries this. If he thinks he can do this in the dead of night like they do with all the budget bills, he will be shocked when the grey panthers storm DC.

[Cryptoad]

23. Truth be known,,,

the GOP does not the people in Congress who are capable of writing a major legisltive bill to replace OC. Last eight years they have been electing plumbers, farmers, etc;

[Feeling the Bern]

2. Wow. . .backtracking have become a GOP Olympic Events

Just like high speed lie telling, the 100 meter bullshit interview, and freestyle demogoguery!

[cstanleytech]

10. The reason is because they have been using it to gain and keep control over the House and

Ryan knows that if the party really does follow through with privatizing it that they are likely to lose majority control of the House in 2 years and that scares him and the other Republicans shitless because there is a real chance the Dems might take it and then begin things like ethics investigations and in light of the GOPs behavior for the past 30+ years the odds are alot of them would then be heading to jail.

[Feeling the Bern]

12. I doubt it. Their PR department, known as the mainstream, corporate, fascist media, will give them

all the cover they need and bring on people who will call it all a partisan witch hunt, all the way whining and pandering to its base.

But I could be wrong on that. And I would hope I am.

[cstanleytech]

16. Well one way the Dems can defuse being accused of engaging in a partisan witchhunt in that case

would be to appoint an independent investigation team that could look into ethics violations like that for everyone.
Sure it will probably catch some Democrats if that was to happen but I am willing to wager that there would be a hell of alot more Republicans caught in that net than Dems.

[joewicker_TX]

3. I'm surprised

No one has tripped over themselves walking this back as quickly as they have. There are a few intelligent people left that KNOW the backlash would be devistating....

[wordpix]

4. yes, "it will take time" since you clown car drivers don't have a PLAN to replace

You have to laugh at how transparently and endlessly greedy the oligarchy is, but you also have to fight back.

[beachbum bob]

5. This is going to fun as conservatives run from themselves....

Their supporters won't forget and we won't let them..

[wordpix]

6. he, he, the rats now have to decide which way to run

[treestar]

7. No one is "suffering" from Obamacare

He's an asshole. Oh and he's not going to have us be worse off? I doubt that.

[jpak]

8. Third Rail Fail

fucking cowards

They know the Shit Storm they would bring.

yup

[BeyondGeography]

11. Translation: I don't have the votes

There are still a few R's in the Senate who haven't lost their minds.

[calguy]

13. They've already decided the "how"

They're just trying figure out the "when".

[hibbing]

14. Why don't they all get together for a circle jerk

And just drop the whole program, something they all have had collective hard on about since the program started.

Peace

[Skittles]

17. SCHEDULING HIBBING FOR ASS KICKING

*EGREGIOUS VISUAL*

[hibbing]

27. Sorry about that

[Skittles]

15. he is disgusting

fuck him

[33taw]

18. We need to keep a full list of their failed campaign promises for their followers to see.

And put it out there for the next four years in the same manner they put that bogus e-mail crap out there.

[TwilightZone]

21. Reading the tea leaves.

He knows the GOP would get its ass kicked if they screw with Medicare.

Kind of makes me wish they'd try...and fail. Not fail Medicare but fail to do anything about it, while hurting their brand.

[Mr.Bill]

22. The bottom line with Ryan

is I do not believe a single fucking word he says. And anyone who does is a fool.

[Blue Idaho]

24. Grab that third rail Paul, grab it with both hands...

Try to fuck up the ACA, Medicare, and throw in Social Security while you are at it. Then you can watch your career completely disappear in less than a month. Americans like their socialist programs - hell, most Americans are depending on them to stay alive after the age of 65.

Take them away from Joe and Jane America and your life isn't worth two cents.

[Generator]

28. I wonder if he heard it wasn't going to be a cake walk

Because I am angry enough-not old enough yet for it or ss but I called ALL my senators and congresswoman and I called AARP and I wrote and I tweeted. And my other friends have been made aware. Fuck this shit. WE have nothing to do but fight. WE have nothing to lose. Which is why I say what I really think on DU now and don't hold back anything. Why? There is no point anymore. We are in some fucked up alternative reality and I am going to yell at it till it backs down or kills me. Oh and all the senators and dem office I spoke to where aware and said they would fight on this. THEY KNOW it's a no go zone.

[turbinetree]

25. While this fascists was trying to back away from his heartless examination of screwing

seniors citizens and everyone that does not have "his" government health care being paid by the same taxpayers.

This right wing fascist says that he is going to do something about Standing Rock.

My answer is just maybe some human beings should go outside his Janesville wisCONsin home and start protesting, so that he understands that we will not back down at Standing Rock

[jack69]

31. "Wisconsin"

What is it with politicians from Wisconsin, going back to early 50's?

[turbinetree]

32. I don't know..................................

but this "guy" is dangerous, he has no empathy its all about greed and how he can be bought off

[duffyduff]

29. "Later" will never happen. He was always full of shit.

Typical libertarian nutjob.

The fact is they mess with the Third Rail, their party is history for good.

[jack69]

30. ACA

Is this an admission that it is not the evil plague that they have tried to block all these wasted years. I clearly remember Obama asking everybody if they had any ideas for the program. Because a black man did it, it had to be flawed, i guess.

[Sunlei]

33. after Republicans 'replace' trump

[DeminPennswoods]

34. Translation: Ooops

nt