Saturday, April 16, 2011

ILLINOIS REPRESENTATIVE BARES THE TRUTH ABOUT OBAMA AND AARP'S MEDICARE LIES

Submitted by: William Finley

Dear Friend,
Medicare Myths
They’re at it again.  The ink on the 2012 “Path to Prosperity” budget proposed by Budget Chairman Paul Ryan was barely dry before AARP began using scare tactics to distort the truth about the Medicare reforms included in the plan.  You or someone you know may have received a letter or email from AARP claiming that the Ryan budget was trying to lower the deficit on the backs of seniors or deny future retirees access to care.  As your member of Congress, I think it’s terrible that organizations like AARP -- who clearly benefits financially from Medicare -- are scaring seniors with lies about the proposal.     

Let me cut through the rhetoric.  The Ryan plan would not privatize or use a voucher system to reform Social Security, Medicaid or Medicare.  The proposals included in the Path to Prosperity would not even touch the Medicare or Social Security plans of anyone 55 or older.  Beginning in 2022, new Medicare beneficiaries would see more coverage options – so that they can choose a plan that works best for them.  Those with increased health risks or greater financial need would get more assistance.  For more information on myth-versus-reality, click here.  Unfortunately doing nothing is not an option.  Our economic experts predict inaction would result in a 22% cut to Social Security and an exhausted Medicare fund in 7 to 19 years.  I have always said that a promise made is a promise kept.  The Ryan budget plan will ensure that Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security will be stable enough to support our children and grandchildren for years to come.  Today, by a vote of 235 to 193, the House passed Ryan’s budget blueprint, which -- in addition to strengthening our entitlement programs -- will cut $6.2 trillion over the next ten years, and simplify the tax code.  And it balances the budget simply by doing for our children and grandchildren what our parents did for us – spend at historically sustainable levels of about 20 percent of the gross domestic product – the post-World War II average.  To learn more about the plan, which the Heritage Center for Data Analysis estimated will create one million new private-sector jobs, click here.
 
Closing the Books on FY2011
I’m sure you heard that last Friday, just before midnight, we were able to strike a FY 2011 agreement with President Obama and Senate leaders that averted a government shutdown, cut spending by almost $40 billion, and ensures our troops in the field will continue to get paid.  This week, the House passed the agreement by a vote of 260 to 167 and the Senate followed suit.  But some have already begun spinning the truth, claiming that the cuts in the package won’t really impact spending as advertised.  Those who claim the savings are in the millions rather than billions are only looking at cuts in the immediate budget “outlays” which don’t include savings in actual budget authority – money that has been set aside to be spent even if the check hasn’t yet been cashed.  At the end of the day, the 2011 budget agreement takes away the federal government’s license to spend nearly $40 billion and that’s real taxpayer money that would have otherwise been spent. 
ObamaCare Actions
In addition to making the largest discretionary spending cut in American history, the 2011 budget agreement will also audit key portions of the Administration’s health overhaul.  On that same note, the House also approved H.R. 1217 to cancel an $18 billion slush fund set up in the Administration’s health law for new spending with no oversight from Congress.  
President’s Path to Debt Reduction
The President’s debt speech on Wednesday was heavy on rhetoric and light on ideas or concrete proposals to cut spending.  His deficit reduction strategy would reverse the very tax cut extensions he agreed to about four months ago.  Taxing the rich too often means higher taxes on the middle class and small business job creators.  History has shown that we cannot tax our way to prosperity – only into further recession.  And with Tax Day right around the corner on April 18th, I don’t think most American workers are in any mood to be told that the government needs even more of their hard-earned money.

As always, it is an honor to serve you in Washington.  I’m looking forward to spending some time in the district next week, and hearing your thoughts on the recent budget discussions.Sincerely,

Judy Biggert
Member of Congress

Dear Friend,
Medicare Myths
They’re at it again.  The ink on the 2012 “Path to Prosperity” budget proposed by Budget Chairman Paul Ryan was barely dry before AARP began using scare tactics to distort the truth about the Medicare reforms included in the plan.  You or someone you know may have received a letter or email from AARP claiming that the Ryan budget was trying to lower the deficit on the backs of seniors or deny future retirees access to care.  As your member of Congress, I think it’s terrible that organizations like AARP -- who clearly benefits financially from Medicare -- are scaring seniors with lies about the proposal.     

Let me cut through the rhetoric.  The Ryan plan would not privatize or use a voucher system to reform Social Security, Medicaid or Medicare.  The proposals included in the Path to Prosperity would not even touch the Medicare or Social Security plans of anyone 55 or older.  Beginning in 2022, new Medicare beneficiaries would see more coverage options – so that they can choose a plan that works best for them.  Those with increased health risks or greater financial need would get more assistance.  For more information on myth-versus-reality, click here.  Unfortunately doing nothing is not an option.  Our economic experts predict inaction would result in a 22% cut to Social Security and an exhausted Medicare fund in 7 to 19 years.  I have always said that a promise made is a promise kept.  The Ryan budget plan will ensure that Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security will be stable enough to support our children and grandchildren for years to come. Today, by a vote of 235 to 193, the House passed Ryan’s budget blueprint, which -- in addition to strengthening our entitlement programs -- will cut $6.2 trillion over the next ten years, and simplify the tax code.  And it balances the budget simply by doing for our children and grandchildren what our parents did for us – spend at historically sustainable levels of about 20 percent of the gross domestic product – the post-World War II average.  To learn more about the plan, which the Heritage Center for Data Analysis estimated will create one million new private-sector jobs, click here.
 
Closing the Books on FY2011
I’m sure you heard that last Friday, just before midnight, we were able to strike a FY 2011 agreement with President Obama and Senate leaders that averted a government shutdown, cut spending by almost $40 billion, and ensures our troops in the field will continue to get paid.  This week, the House passed the agreement by a vote of 260 to 167 and the Senate followed suit.  But some have already begun spinning the truth, claiming that the cuts in the package won’t really impact spending as advertised.  Those who claim the savings are in the millions rather than billions are only looking at cuts in the immediate budget “outlays” which don’t include savings in actual budget authority – money that has been set aside to be spent even if the check hasn’t yet been cashed.  At the end of the day, the 2011 budget agreement takes away the federal government’s license to spend nearly $40 billion and that’s real taxpayer money that would have otherwise been spent.  

ObamaCare Actions
In addition to making the largest discretionary spending cut in American history, the 2011 budget agreement will also audit key portions of the Administration’s health overhaul.  On that same note, the House also approved H.R. 1217 to cancel an $18 billion slush fund set up in the Administration’s health law for new spending with no oversight from Congress.  
President’s Path to Debt Reduction
The President’s debt speech on Wednesday was heavy on rhetoric and light on ideas or concrete proposals to cut spending.  His deficit reduction strategy would reverse the very tax cut extensions he agreed to about four months ago.  Taxing the rich too often means higher taxes on the middle class and small business job creators.  History has shown that we cannot tax our way to prosperity – only into further recession.  And with Tax Day right around the corner on April 18th, I don’t think most American workers are in any mood to be told that the government needs even more of their hard-earned money.

As always, it is an honor to serve you in Washington.  I’m looking forward to spending some time in the district next week, and hearing your thoughts on the recent budget discussions.Sincerely,

Judy Biggert
Member of Congress

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