Wasserman Schultz: GOP budget proposal, 'death trap for seniors'

[babylonsister]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/04/14/wasserman-schultz-gop-budget-proposal-death-trap-for-seniors/

Wasserman Schultz: GOP budget proposal, 'death trap for seniors'
By: CNN's Laura Klairmont


Washington (CNN)– Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz stood by her comments that Republican Rep. Paul Ryan's budget proposal is a "death trap for seniors" in a CNN interview Thursday.

The incoming head of the Democratic National Committee reasoned that dramatic cuts in state funding within the GOP proposal would put seniors living in nursing homes under Medicare at risk.

"You are going to have some seniors not survive because they won't be able to either get access to a nursing home or they will get kicked out of a nursing home and they will have to make it on their own," Wasserman Schultz said Thursday on CNN's American Morning.

The GOP budget drafted by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan would have seniors purchase private health care insurance from an insurance exchange with the government subsidizing premiums up to a limit.

Wasserman Schultz told MSNBC earlier in April that Paul Ryan's plan would be a "death trap" for seniors because it would force the elderly to pay a heightened amount for health insurance each year.

During Wednesday's address, President Obama likened the system under the GOP proposal as "a voucher program that leaves seniors at the mercy of the insurance industry, with a shrinking benefit to pay for rising costs."

The president's long-term budget proposal includes limited cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

[provis99]

1. very glad to see her run the DNC.

I like how she stands by her comments; that sort of thing is in short supply among Democratic politicians these days.

[madokie]

11. I wasn't aware she was running the DNC

I'm happy that she is cause I like her, wish she was my representative

http://wassermanschultz.house.gov/about/biography.shtml

[gratuitous]

2. Get on her, CNN!

Of course, CNN will, at the very same time, let Dimwit Palin's wholly false comments about "death panels" pass without comment. And Sen. Kyl's total lie about 90% of Planned Parenthood's work being abortions doesn't even merit a raised eyebrow. But let Wasserman Schultz accurately characterize this week's genius Paul Ryan's plan as being a death trap? Oh, CNN's on that like white on the GOP.

[The Magistrate]

3. Ryan wants To Murder Old People, Ma'am, Old Women In Particular

He is quite explicit about his belief that people who cannot provide for their every need themselves, without anyone else's 'altruistic' assistance, ought to be left to die where they fall. This is not, by the way, either exaggeration or hyperbole: it is basic Randite doctrine, to which he subscribes whole-heartedly.

[spooky3]

4. After all, none of those old women ever took care of him

for, say, the first 18 or so years of his life...

[shanti]

5. "not survive"

tell it like it is! they will DIE, and that is unacceptable.

[jillan]

6. I think she is going to be great running the DNC. She's never been one to mince words.

[deacon]

7. Kick + R Good framing.

[eridani]

8. NItpick time. Medicare does NOT do nursing homes long term

That would be Medicaid, after you spend yourself down to the income limits. Otherwise, a good show for a first public statement. Kaine was fucking INVISIBLE, mostly.

[spooky3]

14. Since they didn't quote her on that, I suspect it is the journalist who made the error.

The rest of the article talks about "the GOP plan" and the "Ryan plan", which deals with both Medicare and Medicaid.

[malaise]

9. K & R

for the truth!

[lonestarnot]

10. Another!

[madokie]

12. And another

[calimary]

13. GOOD! I'm glad she's using incendiary phrasing like this. It'll get more attention.

It's scary, but it also happens to be the truth. And seniors should be scared about it.

[KittyWampus]

15. well, that's putting it in plain language.