Parties Jockey for Advantage on Wyden-Ryan Medicare Plan

[Valin]

Real Clear Politics:

Caitlin Huey-Burns
December 16, 2011

Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden joined the Republican Party's shining star and resident budget hawk, Paul Ryan, Thursday to introduce a new plan to reform Medicare. At first glance, the bipartisan proposal from a liberal lawmaker and a conservative one would seem to dull Democrats' sharpest line of attack that Ryan and his GOP colleagues want to end Medicare and hang seniors out to dry.

Instead, it likely will deliver both sides fresh ammunition heading into the 2012 election cycle.

(Snip)

The White House opposed the plan, saying, “The Wyden-Ryan scheme could, over time, cause the traditional Medicare program to ‘wither on the vine’ because it would raise premiums, forcing many seniors to leave traditional Medicare and join private plans."

(Snip)

[Valin]

The Hill: Democratic senator says new Ryan Medicare plan is 'lipstick on the pig'

Daniel Strauss

12/16/11

 

Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) new Medicare plan is “lipstick on the pig,” says Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).

 

Brown is the latest Democrat to pile on with criticism of the Medicare reform plan Ryan introduced Thursday with Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). American United for Change has also used the “lipstick on a pig” line.

 

Brown said the new plan is basically the same as a proposal Ryan previously rolled out that Democrats argue would essentially turn Medicare into a voucher system.

 

(Snip)