Ryan Budget and Medicare

Iowa Retiree Leader Criticizes Iowa Congressmen Who Voted to Cut Medicare, Medicaid

The following statement was issued today by Donald Rowen, President of the Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans, in reaction to Congressmen Latham and King voting in favor of the Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal authored by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI).

“Retirees across Iowa should be angry at Congressmen Latham and King for their votes to cut health care for seniors in order to pay for more tax breaks for big corporations and for the wealthiest Americans. It is unconscionable to take from those with the least – people struggling to afford to see a doctor and fill a prescription – in order to give to those who already have the most.
“The budget proposal, which passed the House by a 228/191 vote, would give seniors grossly inadequate vouchers to either buy health coverage in the costly, unfair private insurance market, or purchase coverage from a Medicare program that would be badly weakened by the exodus of younger, healthier retirees. Moreover, the budget plan would turn Medicaid over to cash-strapped states, jeopardizing a program that is the only way over 70 percent of seniors can afford long-term or nursing home care.
“Three of our Congressmen, Braley, Boswell and Loebsack, voted against this budget because they understand that Medicare and Medicaid are lifelines for retirees here in Iowa. For many seniors, it is the only way they are able to stay healthy. On this important issue, Tom Latham and Steve King chose to stand with powerful corporate interests rather than on the side of seniors back home who are struggling to get by.

Thank you Congressmen Braley, Boswell and Loebsack for your votes against this attempt to cut Medicare and Medicaid, and for your consistent support in Congress on behalf of Iowa's seniors.

Please consider writing a Letter to the Editor of your local paper either thanking your Congressman or expressing your unhappiness with his vote. If you need assistance with the letter or contacting Grassley or Harkin, contact Lance Coles at lance@iowaaflcio.org or 515-669-8046
You also need to contact Senator Grassley and Harkin and ask them to vote against the Ryan budget.
Grassley: 202-224-3744
http://www.grassley.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Harkin: 202-224-3254
http://www.harkin.senate.gov/contact.cfm