Dems divided on cuts to Medicare, Medicaid

[eridani]

http://pdacommunity.org/component/content/article/99-supercommittee/2427-senate-dems-divided-over-cuts-to-benefit-programs-

Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., who is retiring as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said rising health care costs in Medicare and Medicaid are helping to drive future spending, making them an essential part of a long-term deficit-reduction package.

"I've been part of every bipartisan group here. We've always put everything on the table," Conrad said.

"If you're going to solve this problem, you're going to have to deal with where the spending is and the revenue can be raised."

But senators like Baucus and Conrad increasingly are being drowned out by other Democrats emboldened by the recent election results to fight against benefit cuts.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said he is willing to find savings in Medicare and Medicaid by making them more efficient. But, he said, he won't support benefit cuts.

"I think the election spoke very strongly about the fact that the vast majority of American people don't want to cut these programs," Harkin said.

[asjr]

1. Medicare to me is life support. I probably would not

be around today were it not for Medicare!

[tblue]

6. Please write and call your congress critters then.

Let them know you (all of us at DU, I think) won't stand for any cuts whatsoever. Thanks. Hang in there, sweetie.

[DJ13]

2. you're going to have to deal with where the spending is and the revenue can be raised

I wonder why these asshats never mention the bloated defense budget, they only talk about the programs that help the lower classes.

[99Forever]

3. "where the spending is"

Great, cut the fucking MIC by half. Problem solved.


Next.

[woo me with science]

4. Well, of course they are.

Who could have predicted that?

[tblue]

5. Why isn't Harkin Majority Leader?

Maybe this is why...? Damn!

I love that guy. He is True Blue.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. Same old battle. 3rd Way, DLC, Triangulators, vs Progressives.

"History has tried to teach us that we can't have good government under politicians.  Now, to go and stick one at the very head of government couldn’t be wise." Mark Twain