10
Sep
2014
Ernst Supports GOP Budget that would have increased out-of-pocket health care costs for Iowa seniors by nearly $6,000
"Joni Ernst's risky proposals for Medicare would leave Iowa's seniors with higher health costs and less retirement security," said Braley for Iowa spokesman Sam Lau. "In fact, if Ernst had her way, Iowa seniors could be paying nearly $6,000 more in out-of-pocket health care costs, while paying more for prescription drugs and wellness visits. Iowa seniors simply can't afford Ernst's radical Medicare proposals."
In contrast to Ernst's risky proposals, Bruce Braley, who has earned the endorsement of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and the Alliance for Retired Americans, has strongly opposed efforts to transform Medicare into a voucher program. He has also supported efforts to strengthen Medicare and expand benefits, including free preventive benefits, cancer screenings, and closing the Medicare prescription drug 'donut hole' gap in coverage.
BACKGROUND:
Ernst Voted To Support Paul Ryan's Medicare And Medicaid Proposals. On June 27, 2011, Ernst voted against adoption of SR 15, "A Resolution opposing proposed Congressional changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs...the United States House of Representatives has recently adopted House Concurrent Resolution 34 encompassing the budget proposal of Budget Chairman Paul Ryan which would make fundamental changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs...BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate respectfully expresses its opposition to the budget proposal encompassed in House Concurrent Resolution 34 and any proposals to change the Medicare or Medicaid programs that are projected to lead to fewer Americans, especially those most vulnerable due to age, disability, or poverty, being able to obtain or retain health care coverage." The resolution was adopted by a vote of 26-21. [Senate Vote on SR 15, Iowa State Senate Journal, 6/27/11; Senate Resolution 15; HCR 34, introduced 4/11/11]
Des Moines, IA - State Sen. Joni Ernst's risky plans to end Medicare as we know it wouldn't just put Iowans' retirement security at risk, it would also increase costs for Iowa seniors and end guaranteed benefits they have paid into their entire working lives.
While the GOP Budget introduced by Rep. Paul Ryan 2011 was popular with Tea Party obstructionists and corporations who received large tax breaks, it was widely panned for the devastating impact it would have on seniors. Yet when given a chance in the Iowa Senate to oppose these drastic cuts to Medicare, Ernst instead decided to put her risky Tea Party ideology before Iowa. Here's what Ernst's plan would have meant for Iowa seniors:
While the GOP Budget introduced by Rep. Paul Ryan 2011 was popular with Tea Party obstructionists and corporations who received large tax breaks, it was widely panned for the devastating impact it would have on seniors. Yet when given a chance in the Iowa Senate to oppose these drastic cuts to Medicare, Ernst instead decided to put her risky Tea Party ideology before Iowa. Here's what Ernst's plan would have meant for Iowa seniors:
- Increased out-of-pocked health care costs for a typical 65-year old Iowa senior by $5,999 in 2022
- Forced at least 11,600 Iowa seniors to pay over $1.2 million more for annual wellness visits in 2012
- Made more than 49,5000 Iowa seniors pay $28 million more for prescription drugs in 2012 alone
- By 2030, typical 65 year olds would be required to pay 68 percent of the total cost of their coverage, which includes premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs, compared with the 25 percent they would pay under current law
- Raise the Medicare eligibility age
"Joni Ernst's risky proposals for Medicare would leave Iowa's seniors with higher health costs and less retirement security," said Braley for Iowa spokesman Sam Lau. "In fact, if Ernst had her way, Iowa seniors could be paying nearly $6,000 more in out-of-pocket health care costs, while paying more for prescription drugs and wellness visits. Iowa seniors simply can't afford Ernst's radical Medicare proposals."
In contrast to Ernst's risky proposals, Bruce Braley, who has earned the endorsement of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and the Alliance for Retired Americans, has strongly opposed efforts to transform Medicare into a voucher program. He has also supported efforts to strengthen Medicare and expand benefits, including free preventive benefits, cancer screenings, and closing the Medicare prescription drug 'donut hole' gap in coverage.
BACKGROUND:
Ernst Voted To Support Paul Ryan's Medicare And Medicaid Proposals. On June 27, 2011, Ernst voted against adoption of SR 15, "A Resolution opposing proposed Congressional changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs...the United States House of Representatives has recently adopted House Concurrent Resolution 34 encompassing the budget proposal of Budget Chairman Paul Ryan which would make fundamental changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs...BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate respectfully expresses its opposition to the budget proposal encompassed in House Concurrent Resolution 34 and any proposals to change the Medicare or Medicaid programs that are projected to lead to fewer Americans, especially those most vulnerable due to age, disability, or poverty, being able to obtain or retain health care coverage." The resolution was adopted by a vote of 26-21. [Senate Vote on SR 15, Iowa State Senate Journal, 6/27/11; Senate Resolution 15; HCR 34, introduced 4/11/11]
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