Pete Stark: “The Republican budget proposal pulls a bait and switch on seniors, people with disabilities, the poor, and anyone who…”

“The Republican budget proposal pulls a bait and switch on seniors, people with disabilities, the poor, and anyone who hopes to grow old with dignity in this country. It dismantles bedrock American programs--Medicare and Medicaid--and opens Social Security to future attack. The Republican plan takes Medicare's promise of guaranteed health benefits and swaps it out for a voucher for private insurance--one that's intentionally structured to diminish in value. Seniors will be at the mercy of big insurance companies and left to pay bigger bills out-of-pocket. The Republican plan changes Medicaid to a block grant program. States' funding will fall far short. They'll be forced to slash programs that now cover much-needed health care for kids, the poor, and the disabled. The Republican plan is morally bankrupt and takes the most cynical view of our country's future. It says we should reward the wealthiest Americans and corporations with trillions in tax breaks and pay for them by slashing essential programs that work. I applaud the President for attacking the Republican budget proposal and calling it what it is: a plan to reduce the deficit on the backs of our most vulnerable populations and middle class families. We know there is a better, fairer way. The People's Budget--put forth by the Congressional Progressive Caucus--works for all Americans and puts people back to work.…”