Budget chief attacks Ryan’s blueprint - TheHill.com

Image via Wikipedia

By Walter Alarkon

The White House is hammering Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) budget plan, seeking to contrast sharply it with President Barack Obama’s economic policies.

White House Budget Director Peter Orszag on Tuesday argued Ryan’s plan to cut the deficit through reforms to Medicare would raise healthcare costs for families and individuals.

Democrats at Tuesday’s House Budget Committee hearing were harsher; Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) said Ryan’s plan would “end Medicare as we know it” for seniors by making it impossible for some to afford health benefits they now receive under Medicare.

Ryan proposes that the deficit be closed by shifting some seniors away from Medicare. He would have Americans 55 and younger be issued vouchers to buy private insurance approved by Medicare instead of being placed in the Medicare system. when they grow older. Those older than 55 would stay in Medicare.

Continue Reading