NYT: Rep. Ryan’s ‘Sweeping Agenda’ Includes Revising Medicare
The New York Times profiles Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and details the rising Republican star's positions on health care and social programs, among other things. Under his controversial "Roadmap for America's Future" plan, Ryan would eliminate the federal debt over 50 years through major changes to Medicare and Social Security. Critics say the changes would undermine the safety net programs, and even Republicans have been shy about the plan because many politicians do not wish to discuss altering the entitlement programs before elections.Here's what the plan would do to the entitlements: "For people now younger than 55, Medicare would become a voucher program in which they would buy private insurance, and Social Security would allow people to create individual investment accounts paid for with payroll taxes. With both entitlement programs, the age eligibility requirements would gradually go up." Political consultants advise candidates to steer clear of these issues, but Ryan says, "I don't think these things are third rails anymore. People are ready for this" (Davey, 8/2).
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