Thursday, November 17, 2005
Press Release: Representatives Stark and Frank on released budgets
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From the offices of Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Pete Stark (D-CA)
The GOP Budget released yesterday revealed the party’s disdain for the needs of society’s most valuable members: our youth, the elderly and retirees. Cuts to Medicare and Social Security reflect a haphazard approach to spending that does not take into account the needs of working Americans.
Given the opportunity to meet the needs of aging baby boomers and their families the Republicans instead fumbled, handing the ball to their big business friends. They cut benefits to retirees, survivors, and the children of retirees. Their dirty tricks included changing a formula to give retirees on Social Security lower monthly payments that will force millions to choose between their heating bills and eating three meals a day.
Where the Democrats recognized the need to increase survivor benefits, Republicans deserted widows and substantially reduced spousal benefits. Compassion does not leave 15.8 percent of widows in poverty! Democrats support an equitable and progressive Social Security system that acknowledges the needs of low wage workers. By restructuring the payroll system the Democratic budget accounts for the faster than average growth of today’s economy.
In addition to Social Security cuts, the Republican budget shifts health care costs to working Americans and vastly undermines the quality of medical care available to hospitals throughout the United States. By reducing funding to teaching hospitals and restructuring current Medicare funding, the Republican Budget significantly reduces the number of trained medical professionals and the quality of medical care for all patients, especially the critically ill.
The Democratic budget strengthens Medicare, builds on current successes and guarantees benefits to seniors, people with disabilities, children, and working families. The Republican budget shifts program costs to individuals, a disgrace to the philosophy of Medicare. By restructuring the Medicare cost sharing requirements, the Republican budget results in:
- An increase of an individual’s deductible under Medicare by $650.
- Making enrollees responsible for paying costs of home health care, currently funded by the federal government
- Increasing individual’s co-payments under the Medicaid programs 67 percent for adults and even more for children
Republicans are not concerned with protecting the interests of their constituents. Rather, the Republican budget eliminates the social safety net that has been the proudest feature of our government since the depression.
From the offices of Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Pete Stark (D-CA)
The GOP Budget released yesterday revealed the party’s disdain for the needs of society’s most valuable members: our youth, the elderly and retirees. Cuts to Medicare and Social Security reflect a haphazard approach to spending that does not take into account the needs of working Americans.
Given the opportunity to meet the needs of aging baby boomers and their families the Republicans instead fumbled, handing the ball to their big business friends. They cut benefits to retirees, survivors, and the children of retirees. Their dirty tricks included changing a formula to give retirees on Social Security lower monthly payments that will force millions to choose between their heating bills and eating three meals a day.
Where the Democrats recognized the need to increase survivor benefits, Republicans deserted widows and substantially reduced spousal benefits. Compassion does not leave 15.8 percent of widows in poverty! Democrats support an equitable and progressive Social Security system that acknowledges the needs of low wage workers. By restructuring the payroll system the Democratic budget accounts for the faster than average growth of today’s economy.
In addition to Social Security cuts, the Republican budget shifts health care costs to working Americans and vastly undermines the quality of medical care available to hospitals throughout the United States. By reducing funding to teaching hospitals and restructuring current Medicare funding, the Republican Budget significantly reduces the number of trained medical professionals and the quality of medical care for all patients, especially the critically ill.
The Democratic budget strengthens Medicare, builds on current successes and guarantees benefits to seniors, people with disabilities, children, and working families. The Republican budget shifts program costs to individuals, a disgrace to the philosophy of Medicare. By restructuring the Medicare cost sharing requirements, the Republican budget results in:
- An increase of an individual’s deductible under Medicare by $650.
- Making enrollees responsible for paying costs of home health care, currently funded by the federal government
- Increasing individual’s co-payments under the Medicaid programs 67 percent for adults and even more for children
Republicans are not concerned with protecting the interests of their constituents. Rather, the Republican budget eliminates the social safety net that has been the proudest feature of our government since the depression.
posted by Leslie H # 1:32 PM 
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