Will Target Dems Sell Out Seniors?
FYI, a version of the release below went out to the following districts: John Barrow (GA-12); Alan Boyd (FL-02); Bobby Bright (AL-02); Dennis Cardoza (CA-18); Travis Childers (MS-01); Gerry Connolly (VA-11); Jim Costa (CA-20); Lincoln Davis (TN-04); Joe Donnelly (IN-08); Chet Edwards (TX-17); Brad Ellsworth (IN-08); Gabby Giffords (AZ-08); Bart Gordon (TN-06); Alan Grayson (FL-08); Debbie Halvorson (IL-11); Martin Heinrich (NM-01); Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (SD-AL); Baron Hill (IN-09); Steve Kagen (WI-08); Ron Kind (WI-03); Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01); Larry Kissell (NC-08); Ron Klein (FL-22); Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24); Frank Kratovil (MD-01); Betsy Markey (CO-04); Jerry McNerney (CA-11); Harry Mitchell (AZ-05); Dennis Moore (KS-03); Glenn Nye (VA-02); Tom Perriello (VA-05); Gary Peters (MI-09); Collin Peterson (MN-07); Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23); Mike Ross (AR-04); Loretta Sanchez (CA-47); Mark Schauer (MI-07); Heath Shuler (NC-11); Ike Skelton (MO-04); Vic Snyder (AR-02); John Tanner (TN-08); Harry Teague (NM-02); Dina Titus (NV-03); Tim Walz (MN-01); and David Wu (OR-01).
Will Suzanne Kosmas Sell Out Florida Seniors?
Non-Partisan Budget Chief Warns of Massive Medicare Cuts
Washington- As Suzanne Kosmas continues to feel the pressure from her Washington leaders to back their reckless healthcare agenda, a new non-partisan analysis suggests that Florida seniors have even more reason to be concerned about their Medicare coverage in the aftermath of the Democrats’ crusade for government-run healthcare. According to Douglas Elmendorf, the chief of the Congressional Budget Office, the 919,000 Florida seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage will see fewer benefits under the Democrats’ healthcare overhaul:
“Congress’ chief budget officer on Tuesday contradicted President Barack Obama’s oft-stated claim that seniors wouldn’t see their Medicare benefits cut under a health care overhaul.
“The head of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, Douglas Elmendorf, told senators that seniors in Medicare’s managed care plans could see reduced benefits under a bill in the Finance Committee.
”The bill would cut payments to the Medicare Advantage plans by more than $100 billion over 10 years.” (Erica Werner, “Budget Chief Contradicts Obama on Medicare Costs,” Associated Press, September 23, 2009)
And additional analysis by Politico shows that millions of seniors are already facing a ‘double whammy’ when it comes to paying for increasing Medicare premiums:
“Low inflation and the twists of Medicare law are creating a political nightmare for Congress: millions of elderly left with higher Part B premiums and no annual cost-of-living increase from Social Security.”
“Annual cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security recipients have been a way of life for decades, but with the bad economy, the consumer price index for 2009 has fallen into negative territory, all but ruling out any benefit increase next year.
“At the same time, Part B premiums, which cover the cost of physician services, will grow, triggering a set of provisions in Medicare law that protect about three-quarters of the elderly but then ask the remainder to take a double whammy.” (David Rogers, “Medicare Hike Would Pinch Seniors,” Politico, 9/23/09)
“With over 919,000 Florida seniors in danger of seeing their Medicare benefits slashed, it’s unconscionable that Suzanne Kosmas is even considering backing her party’s devastating healthcare agenda,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “As her party leaders continue to push a plan that will kill jobs, raise taxes, and hurt Florida seniors, Suzanne Kosmas owes it to her constituents to strongly oppose the Democrats’ reckless push for a government-run healthcare system. Unfortunately, the question remains: Will Kosmas stand with Florida seniors, or will she sell them out once again in the name of party loyalty?”
(Medicare Advantage numbers based on current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data)
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