Do Republicans want to ‘get rid of Medicare Medicaid and Social Security?
Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island claimed that Republicans are seeking to “get rid of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.” Republican leaders have not called for entitlement programs to be eliminated, although they have said they are looking to reform the programs in the coming years.
Is this a Republican game plan to destroy Social Security and Medicare?
Unnoticed by most was an additional provision, which is one part of the Republican game plan to destroy Social Security and Medicare.
Should the Democratic Party expand Social Security and Medicare?
The Democratic Party must stand clearly and forcefully in favor of expanding, not cutting, Social Security and Medicare. If the Democratic Party can draw a clear distinction on this vital issue, it can create a powerful wedge between the Republican elites and their base.
Are cuts to Medicaid and Medicare the GOP’s goal?
Wyden’s staff tacitly confirmed that cuts are the GOP’s goal. They pointed us to President Donald Trump’s 2019 budget proposal, which calls for $15.3 billion in Medicare cuts and $6.5 billion in Medicaid cuts in just the first year.
Who is the Republican who slashed Social Security?
Robert Reich explains the longtime Republican plan to slash Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
What do Paul Ryan and Republicans want to do?
Paul Ryan and Republicans want to give tax breaks to the rich and make the middle class & the poor pay for those tax breaks by increasing their taxes AND cutting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
How much debt did the Bush administration have?
Under president Bush, Republicans ran up a huge debt of 10 Trillion Dollars. Now, they want to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and middle class, by cutting food stamps, social security, medicare and medicaid while refusing to cut military spending.
How many people would lose health insurance?
Lawrence O’Donnell talks to Ezra Klein about the “catastrophic” CBO report – which estimates 22 million people would lose health care coverage – and GOP Rep. David Jolly shares his personal story of what happened when he found himself unemployed and uninsured. (June 26, 2017)
Did the Senate GOP draft a secret health care bill?
Senate GOP drafted a secret, partisan health care bill behind closed doors, refusing any meaningful bipartisan input on the bill and refusing to hold any hearings on this legislation that would impact one sixth of our economy. Senate Democrats today urged the GOP to reverse course on this tactic and release to the public the legislation that would impact the health and bottom lines of millions of Americans. (Jun 13, 2017)
Will Trump cut Medicare?
Despite Trump’s promises NOT to cut Medicare, Medicaid & Social Security, that is exactly what he intends to do IF he is re-elected in 2020.
Did Democrats succeed in keeping the benefit cuts out of the short term fiscal cliff?
Democrats in Congress succeeded in keeping these devastating benefit cuts out of the short-term “fiscal cliff” deal. Unfortunately, important leverage was also lost. Washington’s well-financed anti-entitlement lobby continues to pretend that “shared sacrifice” means that if a millionaire loses a tax break (which he or she doesn’t need and America can’t afford) then the middle-class and poor must also pay more for or risk losing their health care benefits in Medicare and Medicaid. [Source: http://ncpssm.org/EntitledtoKnow/entryid/1962/Cutting-Medicare-Medicaid-Social-Security-in-the-113th-Congress]
Do Americans pay into Social Security?
Americans pay into Social Security and Medicare throughout their working lives. They earn these benefits. Alex Lawson, Social Security Works, explains that “Lindsey Graham and his fellow Republicans will stop at nothing to cut the American people’s earned Social Security and Medicare benefits.”
Can Democrats raise the debt ceiling?
Democrats could raise or eliminate the debt ceiling without Republican support, through the budget reconciliation process. To do so, they would need every Democratic Senator supporting the debt ceiling increase or its elimination.
What are the immediate benefits of a tax increase?
The immediate benefits are less inequality and better health outcomes, both of which ultimately support stronger economic growth. Improving revenues for these programs by, for example, increasing payroll taxes on the top income earners will ultimately result in stronger growth and shrinking federal deficits.
What was Donald Trump's signature legislative achievement?
Donald Trump’s signature legislative achievement was the Tac Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. It showered trillions of dollars on highly profitable corporations and the richest American households that had seen the largest economic gains in the wake of the Great Recession from 2007 to 2009. Moreover, many provisions of this tax legislation are now permanent fixtures of the tax code and many temporary ones, such as tax cuts for high-income earners will likely become permanent, if past supply-side tax cuts are any indication.
Is the program cutting push for a balanced budget wrong?
The program-cutting push for a balanced budget ignores two key aspects of fiscal policy. First, it matters whether fiscal interactions create temporary or permanent deficits and second, it matters whether the spending or tax cuts underlying the deficits resulted in faster growth. On both counts, using the pandemic-related fiscal measures to justify cuts for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is wrong.
When did the Cares Act expire?
The pandemic-related deficits are mainly temporary. Congress enacted the CARES Act in March 2020, which offered temporary relief mainly to families, unemployed workers and closed business. Most of its provisions expired in the second half of 2020. The newly elected Congress then enacted the American Rescue Plan in March 2021.
Does the Cares Act help the economy?
In contrast, the CARES Act offered much needed relief amid the worst unemployment crisis since the Great Depression, while it helped to stem the tide on declining economic growth. And experts predict that ARPA will boost economic growth to its highest rate in decades.
Will the Federal Reserve keep interest rates low?
The Federal Reserve will also likely keep interest rates low for some time. Congress will eventually need to worry about the long-term health of the U.S. government, but that does not mean a balanced budget, especially one that is achieved by cutting only vital programs.
Is a balanced budget a public goal?
But a balanced budget is a completely arbitrary public finance goal. A country that has strong growth amid historically low interest rates can and will shrink its debt burden – defined as either the ratio of debt to gross domestic product (GDP) or as the share of interest payments out of GDP.
When did Paul Ryan talk about entitlement reform?
The Senate Democratic release includes two separate comments from House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., in December 2017 talking about returning to entitlement reform in 2018.
What is the wonky term for federal programs that automatically allocate benefits to qualified recipients?
The release goes on to cite specific comments by Republican leaders. These comments focus on changes to "entitlements, " the wonky term for federal programs that automatically allocate benefits to qualified recipients, rather than being dependent on Congress appropriating enough money every year. Entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid account for the largest share of the federal budget.
Why didn't McConnell say entitlement reforms?
22, 2017, that he does not plan to bring up entitlement reforms in the current environment due to a lack of bipartisan agreement on the sensitive issue.
Did the Senate pass a bill that would have curbed Medicaid?
The House already passed a bill that would have curbed Medicaid, but it died in the Senate. And the Senate -- where Republicans have just a 51-49 edge in a chamber that requires 60 votes for most legislative business -- is expected to be a graveyard for legislation to rein in Medicare and Social Security.
Is a cutback the same as elimination?
Cutbacks aren’t the same as elimination. However, none of the proposals being weighed by Republican lawmakers would eliminate the programs. And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., does not share Ryan's zeal for taking up entitlement changes.
Did Wyden say Republicans are taking away Medicare?
Wyden said, "Republicans in Congress are plotting to take away Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.". Some key Republicans, including Ryan, have long argued in favor of overhauling entitlement programs such as these by reducing the amount of money spent on them. However, no Republican proposal has been made to "take away" any ...
What are the causes of the shortfall in Medicare?
The trustees of Social Security and Medicare say that an aging Baby Boomer population, combined with lower fertility rates amongst younger generations are contributing to the funding shortfall.
When will Medicare become insolvent?
Experts say the cost of Medicare and Social Security will become insolvent within the next two decades. Medicare will become insolvent in 2026, according to the program’s trustees, and trust funds for Social Security will be depleted by 2034.
Who said cuts to entitlements are needed to tackle the deficit?
Stivers was echoing the sentiments of party leaders like House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who argue that cuts to entitlements are needed to tackle the deficit. “Frankly, it’s the health care entitlements that are the big drivers of our debt.
How much was spent on Social Security in 2018?
In fiscal year 2018, nearly half ($1.95 trillion) of federal spending was directed toward the major entitlement programs: $977 billion was spent on Social Security, $585 billion on Medicare and $389 billion on Medicaid.
Why do Republicans hate Medicare?
Because Social Security and Medicare are government programs that work so well, the Republican elite — with its seemingly religious belief that the private sector is always the best — hates them . So obsessed are the Republicans in their desire to eliminate these effective government programs that the very first action that House Republicans took in the new Congress was to adopt a rules package that included a new rule that amounts to a stealth attack on Social Security and Medicare.
What are the Republicans' obsessions with Medicare?
The Republican Obsession With Dismantling Social Security And Medicare. Today’s Republicans want to avoid political accountability by destroying Social Security and Medicare without leaving clear fingerprints. The Republicans are desperate to destroy Social Security and Medicare. These two programs demonstrate government at its best.
What is the Republican claim that they are simply seeking to save Social Security and Medicare?
Republican claims that they are simply seeking to save Social Security and Medicare is the same Orwellian language used during the Vietnam War, when a military officer claimed that a village had to be destroyed in order to save it. Similarly, when today’s Republicans talk of “saving” Social Security and Medicare, ...
Why don't Social Security and Medicare go through the appropriations process?
Social Security — the people’s pension — and Medicare — the first step toward universal health insurance for all — do not go through the appropriations process because, as monthly pension payments and medical insurance, they must pay what is owed, not what Congress chooses to spend. If Social Security and Medicare were subject to the whims of every Congress, they would be radically transformed. No one could count on the benefits they had earned. Presumably with that goal in mind, the new rules require the relevant committees to make “recommendations for changes to existing law for moving [unspecified} programs…from mandatory funding to discretionary appropriations, where appropriate.”
Why does Medicare not go through the appropriations process?
Social Security — the people’s pension — and Medicare — the first step toward universal health insurance for all — do not go through the appropriations process because, as monthly pension payments and medical insurance, they must pay what is owed, not what Congress chooses to spend. If Social Security and Medicare were subject to the whims ...
What are the two programs that Republicans want to destroy?
The Republicans are desperate to destroy Social Security and Medicare. These two programs demonstrate government at its best. The federal government runs these two extremely popular programs more efficiently, universally, securely, and effectively than the private sector does with its alternatives — or indeed could, ...
What would happen if the Democratic Party could draw a clear distinction on this vital issue?
If the Democratic Party can draw a clear distinction on this vital issue, it can create a powerful wedge between the Republican elites and their base. If the base catches on and realizes who truly represents their economic interests, the next four years, difficult as they are going to be, will be followed by important progress for many years to come.
Who voted against Medicare?
When Medicare was first being considered Senate Republican Robert Dole (then in the House) voted against it. Also in opposition to Medicare, in a famous 1964 speech, Ronald Reagan explained that his opposition to Social Security and Medicare is why he switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.
What percentage of Americans would prefer to reverse the Republican tax cuts?
A poll one week before the election about Republican social and economic policy is a red flag for Republicans. 60% of Americans would prefer to reverse the Republican 2017 tax cuts than cut spending on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Why did McConnell say the Republicans would defend the tax cuts?
This poll was taken a week after Senator McConnell said the Republicans would defend the tax cuts and cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in order to curb the growing deficit, caused in significant part by those very tax cuts. The Republican Party has always been associated with opposition to Social Security.
Which party is opposed to Social Security?
The Republican Party has always been associated with opposition to Social Security. Economic historian Max Skidmore shows that the final vote for Social Security was lopsided--only 2% of Democrats voted against it (because it wasn't generous enough) while 33% of Republicans voted against Social Security.
Who is calling for cuts to Social Security?
Not only is President Trump arguing with leading Republican Paul Ryan, about the Constitution, but the highest-ranking Republican in the Senate – Senator Mitch McConnell -- has called for cuts to Social Security. That is strange politics because Social Security is the most popular program in America, especially among the voters who are growing the fastest and who vote the most – people over 65.
Is Social Security a fiscal discipline?
Social Security is one of the few government programs with built-in fiscal discipline. Bottom Line: Though Senator McConnell may not have meant to publicize the Republican agenda to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the long history of Republican opposition may be an example of what Sigmund Freud and modern psychologists believe--a slip ...
Who is the highest ranking Republican in the Senate?
Not only is President Trump arguing with leading Republican Paul Ryan, about the Constitution, but the highest-ranking Republican in the Senate – Senator Mitch McConnell -- has called for cuts to Social Security.