Orrin Hatch: “also, according to the Senate Budget Committee, Federal benefits spending is going to grow by 6.4 percent. The…”

“also, according to the Senate Budget Committee, Federal benefits spending is going to grow by 6.4 percent. The difference between Congress' plan and the President's--1 percent-- is well less than the difference between projected spending under current law--CBO says 9.98 percent--and the President's plan, a 1- percent difference. Yet, we hear this rhetoric that the Republicans are going to ruin Medicare and that they are going to take money away from the poor and give it to the rich. That is simply not true, and it is time for those who make those allegations to become more responsible and to stop misleading the American people. True, the Republicans restrain the growth slightly more than the President's proposal, and I think there is a case, a very important case, to be made that is an appropriate thing to do. The reform differences are crucial, however. Under Congress' budget, the problem is identified. Medicaid will be saved, and the budget will be balanced. That is the difference. The problem is identified, Medicare will be saved, and the budget will be balanced under the Republican approach. I should say, the Republican--with moderate/ conservative Democrats--approach to solving the problem. Reform will mean Medicare is not only secure for the future but strengthened with more choices, less waste, and less abuse.”