Calling Health Care Entitlements A Driving Force Of Debt, Ryan Vows To Rein In Medicare Next
President Donald Trump promised repeatedly on the campaign trail that he wouldn't touch Medicare, but House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is confident he can make his case for cutting the program.
The Washington Post:
Ryan Says Republicans To Target Welfare, Medicare, Medicaid Spending In 2018
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) said Wednesday that congressional Republicans will aim next year to reduce spending on both federal health care and anti-poverty programs, citing the need to reduce America's deficit. “We're going to have to get back next year at entitlement reform, which is how you tackle the debt and the deficit,” Ryan said during an appearance on Ross Kaminsky's talk radio show. "... Frankly, it's the health care entitlements that are the big drivers of our debt, so we spend more time on the health care entitlements — because that's really where the problem lies, fiscally speaking.” (Stein, 12/6)
CNN:
GOP Will Tackle Medicare, Medicaid, Welfare In 2018, Ryan Says
The House GOP caucus plans to work on entitlement reform next year as a way to "tackle the debt and the deficit," according to House Speaker Paul Ryan. Speaking to Ross Kaminsky on his talk radio show, the Wisconsin Republican said Wednesday that the House would be working to reform health care entitlements in 2018, calling them "the big drivers of our debt," during a discussion about the Republican tax bill. (Tatum, 12/7)
The Hill:
Ryan Pledges 'Entitlement Reform' In 2018
Health-care entitlements such as Medicare and Medicaid “are the big drivers of debt,” Ryan said, “so we spend more time on the health-care entitlements, because that's really where the problem lies, fiscally speaking." Ryan said he’s been speaking privately with President Trump, who is beginning to warm to the idea of slowing the spending growth in entitlements. (Weixel, 12/6)
CQ:
Ryan: House GOP To Push Health and 'Welfare' Cuts in 2018
We are working with the president on entitlements that he wants to reform, that he’s supportive of,” Ryan said. “I think the president is understanding choice and competition works everywhere in health care, especially Medicare.” (Shutt, 12/6)
