Jul 06, 2011
Voter Anger at House Republicans on Medicare Isn’t Stopping
During this latest Congressional recess, like all the others, House Republicans faced voter backlash and anger over their plan to end Medicare. Nearly 3 months since the plan was approved and voters continue to express outrage that House Republicans chose to end Medicare while protecting taxpayer giveaways for Big Oil and tax breaks for millionaires.
Take a look for yourself.
New Kelly faces tough crowd in Meadville town hall meeting [Erie Times-News]
“U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly began Friday's town-hall meeting in the Meadville area by addressing a fiery crowd. […] The crowd of almost 100, most of them senior citizens, lost its composure early and often during the meeting at the Vernon Township building, 16679 McMath Ave. The main topic was Medicare, with many questions about Kelly's support of a Republican plan proposed by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, of Wisconsin. The Ryan plan would radically rework the Medicare system and cut spending.” [Erie Times-News, 7/2/11]
New Pueblo Crowd Protests Tipton [KRDO]
“Hands off our Medicare: that was the message protesters are sending to third district Congressman Scott Tipton in Pueblo tonight[…] “The message that we’re trying to give to Tipton right now is that he needs to think more about his constituency. He needs to represent the people that live in his district and in his area and think less about the corporate and upper-middle class. […] Protestors say Tipton has voted for plans to get rid of Medicare and Medicaid and lower taxes for the wealthy, moves they believe will hurt the average American.” [KRDO, 7/1/11]
New Mulvaney faces mixed crowd at Sumter town hall [Sumter Item]
“When U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney campaigned last year for the state's 5th Congressional District seat in Washington, Sumter was a bit of a haven for the Indian Land Republican. He gained a good head of steam here during his fight against opponent, former Democratic Rep. John Spratt, and found a welcoming hand during the campaign. That was last year. Thursday night was a different story. […] Conservatives and tea party supporters who help catapult Mulvaney into office made up about a quarter of the capacity crowd. The remaining 75 percent were opponents, primarily Latin American residents, who showed up to protest the congressman's pledge to cut deep in an effort to balance and reduce the budget. […] Detractors focused mainly on social issues, saying the cuts would hurt the poor, elderly and minorities. They also pushed Mulvaney to do more to support immigration, fight tax breaks and subsidies for corporations and oil companies, and reconsider such drastic cuts.” [Sumter Item, 7/1/11]
New Schilling town hall meeting breaks out into debate [Quad City Times]
“For a short time Friday, Aledo City Hall seemed a little bit like the halls of Congress. The federal stimulus, health care reform and Medicare all got a rousing debate. There were charges of socialism and corporate greed tossed about. And in the end, there still was a lot of disagreement. The setting for the debate was U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling’s town hall meeting, a summer ritual for lawmakers on recess across the country. If the hourlong session was any indication, the freshman Republican from Colona who upset Rep. Phil Hare last year is in for bumpy ride going into his own 2012 re-election bid. […] The congressman defended his vote for the Medicare plan drafted by House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis.” [Quad City Times, 7/1/11]
New Renacci town hall meeting turns combative [Canton Repository]
“U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci had a hard time getting his message across during a town hall meeting Thursday as he was repeatedly interrupted. The interruptions didn’t come from a vocal minority, but, in a room at Malone University’s Johnson Center that appeared to be populated by slightly more detractors than supporters, almost 100 percent of the comments came from those opposed to Renacci’s statements, which were aimed at reduction of the federal deficit. […] Renacci had warned at the start of the meeting that if the discussion wasn’t kept on a civil level, people would be asked to leave. Another man stormed out, denouncing Renacci’s support of a Republican fiscal measure. The freshman congressman was criticized for what he said were non-partisan budget facts, to his fiscal stance, to his reference to the president’s health care plan ‘Obamacare.’” [Canton Repository, 6/30/11]
New Steve King's Visit brings Protesters [KIMT]
“He brought his message of fiscal responsibility to Mason City's Cabin Coffee, saying he's against raising the nation's debt ceiling. […] Not everyone who came out for the Congressman's visit are supporters. Some protesters gathered outside the event to get their message out. Darren Lewis said he has a fatal health condition, and he's upset about King's votes on health care reform. Lewis said, "Congressman King voted to nd Medicare and even his proposal to give coupons will do me no good because no insurance company will give me insurance if congressman king has his way I will die.” [KIMT, 6/30/11]
New Protest aimed to send message to King [Daily Nonpareil]
“But the message, or rather the messages, should be plainly clear to Congressman Steve King – don’t cut Medicare, and come talk to the people. “There’s a lot of frustration because Steve King hasn’t presented himself at town hall meetings about Medicare,” said Chris Tinley, chairman of the Pottawattamie County Democrats. “He had town meetings on a regular basis, but hasn’t been to any here to my knowledge since last November’s election.” [Daily Nonpareil, 6/30/11]
New Ellmers defends stances while protesters gather [Rocky Mount Telegram]
“U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers joined Twin Counties leaders for a legislative forum Wednesday to explain what Congress has been doing about the economy… Nashville resident Patty Kennedy was one of the protestors at the front entrance of the Gateway Convention Center demanding that Congress keep entitlement programs such as Medicare in tact. She hoisted a poster that read, “I’m a senior and I vote! No health care vouchers!” “It’s not going to impact me as much, but what about the people that are younger than me,” Kennedy said. “Medicare’s a lifesaver for so many seniors. ... A voucher won’t begin to cover the costs necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle.” [Rocky Mount Telegram, 6/30/11]
New Buerkle takes questions from voters on health care [CNY]
“Before Tuesday night's community forum even started in Manlius, Joy Virden and some new friends waited outside with signs and petitions asking Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle to leave Medicare alone. Virden was concerned that Buerkle would support severe cuts to Medicare that could leave her children and grandchildren without vital care in the future. "She just seems to want to chop it away," said Virden.” [CNY, 6/28/11]
NY-25: Rep. Buerkle defends Medicare vote at Manlius town hall meeting [Syracuse Post-Standard]
“It was standing room only at the Manlius Auditorium as more than 100 people showed up to hear U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle speak about employment, the national debt and health care Tuesday evening. […] Other people in the audience, and a few who protested outside before the meeting, disagreed with Buerkle and the Republican plan. One of the protesters was Joy Virden, 70, of Syracuse, who stood outside with a picture of her 9-year-old grandson Jon Douglass taped to a cardboard sign. "He's a child that needs health care and the cost of health care nowadays is astronomical," Virden said. "It just seems like people want to put it on the chopping block and they need a voice.” [Syracuse Post-Standard, 6/28/11]
WI-05: Medicare Concerns Dominate Town Hall Meeting [Brookfield Patch]
“Concerns about Medicare and health care dominated a Town Hall meeting Sunday held by U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, who along with state legislators also fielded questions on issues ranging from deficits and collective bargaining to voter ID and ethanol. […] He said under Ryan's plan he would have to "go shopping to insurance companies" whose administrative costs will be higher than under Medicare and who may be unwilling to cover people with pre-existing conditions. He predicted he will have to spend a greater share of his retirement funds on health care than will those 55 and older. Sensenbrenner said, "I'm not here to say he's (Ryan) right or he's wrong, but at least he's got a plan." [Brookfield Patch, 6/27/11]
NM-02: Pearce talks debt in Las Cruces [Las Cruces Sun-News]
“Unlike a town hall meeting in April that drew only supporters, Saturday's event featured much sharper questions and spirited exchanges. A woman who identified herself as Cynthia from Las Cruces and later declined to give her last name challenged Pearce on his vote for the House budget crafted by Paul Ryan that would, among other things, change Medicare to a voucher system. "You're cutting off my Medicare while at the same time giving tax breaks to the richest 2 percent of the country," she accused, adding that the gap between wealthy and poor in this country is as wide as its been since the 1920s. […] "I'm not a big fan of the Ryan plan, but it's the only plan in Washington," Pearce said.”[Las Cruces Sun-News, 6/25/11]
NY-25: Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle under pressure over her support for Medicare overhaul [Syracuse Post-Standard]
“Six months after taking office, U.S. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle is facing the first mass protests of her congressional career over her vote for a Republican plan to cut spending by dramatically overhauling the federal Medicare program. Over the past three weeks, Buerkle said, she and her staff answered hundreds of phone calls from Central New Yorkers — including some from sobbing seniors — worried about the future of Medicare, the public health care system for the elderly and people with disabilities. The freshman congresswoman also faced angry protesters at a town hall meeting in the Wayne County town of Palmyra this month, and later a raucous crowd rallied in front of her Syracuse office to protest the proposed reforms. The Republican plan written by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and approved by the House of Representatives in April, would essentially end the existing Medicare program for those younger than age 55. Instead, new recipients would receive voucher-like subsidies averaging $8,000 per year to buy private health insurance.” [Post-Standard, 6/27/11]
WV-02: Capito fields difficult questions from seniors [Martinsville Journal]
“Age was definitely on the minds of those who gathered Friday for Berkeley Senior Services' June birthday bash […] since many audience members posed pointed questions to guest speaker U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., as she talked about pending changes to Medicare and Social Security. They wanted to know how senior citizens would be impacted and if they would end up with less benefits. One woman said she didn't believe members of Congress should be allowed to vote on these types of issues "since it doesn't affect them and they don't know how it feels." Another woman, speaking after the question-and-answer session, said she believes members of Congress should forego their annual salary of $174,000 - either totally or at least in part - to help stretch federal dollars further.” [The Journal, 6/19/11]
NH-01/02: Medicare issue could influence congressional races [Fosters Daily Democrat]
“Medicare could be a political game-changer in 2012. That is, if other factors remain the same or get better. Democrat Kathy Hochul's recent congressional victory in New York started a firestorm of Democratic optimism, with some looking at the win as a voter referendum on Republicans' proposed changes to Medicare. […] Scala said he suspects Charlie Bass and Frank Guinta "are awfully happy" they weren't up for re-election a few weeks ago when the controversy heated up over the budget plan proposed by Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan. His plan, The Path to Prosperity, offers drastic changes to Medicare that Democrats criticize for implementing a voucher system.” [Fosters, 6/19/11]
CA-52: Cuts to Medicare Approved by GOP House would have major impacts on East County Seniors and Disabled People, Analysis Finds [East County Magazine]
“The plan would eliminate Medicare for those now under 55, making them use vouchers for private insurance instead. Some benefits for current Medicare beneficiaries and the disabled would be cut immediately. Seniors would pay more for prescriptions and government reimbursement to private insurers would not keep pace with the rising cost of medical care, resulting in seniors paying higher costs. […] In the 52nd Congressional District represented by Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon), adverse impacts are estimated to include shifting thousands of dollars in costs onto individuals--$182,000 to $287,000 per person for those ages 44-54 in the district--while sharply cutting benefits for those over age 54 and the disabled.” [East County Magazine, 6/19/11]
CO-04: Residents gather to protest Gardner's Medicare vote [Reporter Herald]
“A group of about 50 people gathered Thursday outside of U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner’s Fort Collins office to protest his recent vote for a budget proposal that would make changes to the federal Medicare program. […] Resident Deanna Ball said she came to the protest hoping Gardner would listen to the group’s concerns and change his stance on the budget. “I’m so afraid that they’re going to dismantle Medicare,” she said. “When you turn 65 is when you need health care, and a voucher is not going to take care of us.” […] Fort Collins resident Don Morris said he said he would be willing to pay higher taxes to help pay for Medicare benefits. “I can afford health care if Medicare goes away,” he said. “I’m here protesting because it’s immoral.” [Reporter Herald, 6/17/11]
AZ-01: Rep. Gosar shares his thoughts on Medicare/Medicaid [San Tan Valley Today]
“U.S. House of Representatives Arizona District 1 Representative Paul Gosar held a town hall meeting in Florence on June 9, 2011. […] In late May, Democrat Kathy Hochul upset a Republican candidate in a special election for a local New York seat considered to lean conservative. There has also been increasing national speculation as to the political efficacy of the Ryan plan. Since then, many Republicans have been on the road explaining the benefits of the Medicare and medicaid reform proposals.” [San Tan Valley Today, 6/14/11]
PA-06: Gerlach Doubles Down on GOP Medicare Reforms [Politics PA]
“Rep. Jim Gerlach isn’t backing down from Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget plan or its changes to Medicare. [… ] The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also noticed Gerlach’s piece, and just issued a press release rebutting it, including links to several media reports about the plan. “Yesterday, while claiming to want a “fact-based debate” about the future of Medicare, Representative Jim Gerlach (PA-06) repeatedly misled his constituents about his vote to end the popular program,” read the DCCC release. “In reality, Gerlach voted to end Medicare, turn Medicare into a voucher system, and make healthcare more costly for current seniors.”” [PoliticsPA, 6/13/11]
KS-03: Rep. Kevin Yoder speaks at LMH about Medicare, federal budget [Desoto Explorer]
“Freshman U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., on Friday disputed a contention that a budget proposal by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., would end Medicare, a popular narrative from congressional Democrats who oppose it. […] Ryan’s plan would also provide a fixed payment for anyone age 54 or younger to purchase private insurance once they turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. […] The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has criticized Yoder and other Republicans for supporting Ryan’s proposal.” [Desoto Explorer, 6/13/11]
AR-01: Demonstrators get a promise from Tim Griffin. [Arkansas Times]
“Neil Sealy with Arkansas Community Organizations sent the photo along with a note about a dozen Arkansans who drove to Bryant to greet U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin […] The demonstrators want to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Griffin's vote for the House budget plan was a vote to dismantle the country's medical safety net for older and poorer Americans. Sealy said the demonstrators were unhappy that Griffin is not holding public meetings to hear their concerns. They also wanted him to oppose new Republican legislation by Rep. Pete Sessions to privatize Social Security.” [Arkansas Times, 6/10/11]
NY-20: Congressman Gibson defends Medicare cuts to Saratoga Springs audience [Daily Gazette]
“Freshman U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson on Wednesday defended — and said he will continue to defend — a Republican proposal that would radically restructure Medicare. The proposal in the House of Representatives would replace the fast-growing, government-funded senior citizen health care program with a privatized voucher system. […] Over time, critics say, senior citizens would pay a rising share of their medical costs themselves, through higher out-of-pocket costs for insurance premiums, reduced benefits or by choosing high-deductible plans to keep their premiums lower.” [Daily Gazette, 6/9/11]
NY-25: Medicare Continues to Dominate Discussion [YNN]
“Medicare played a big role in the recent special election in the 26th Congressional District. It's an issue that's not going away, as Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle found out at a town hall meeting in the 25th District Wednesday evening. Buerkle was greeted by protesters worried about the future of Medicare as she walked into Palmyra Town Hall.” [New York YNN, 6/8/11]
C0-04: Congressman greeted by friends, foes at tea party meeting [Times Call]
“U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner found himself fielding questions from skeptics as well as supporters during his featured speaking appearance at Wednesday night's meeting of the Longmont 9.12 Tea Party organization. […] But Kaye Fissinger, who said she's a Medicare recipient as well as a cancer survivor, described what she said had been excellent treatment and care that the federal program paid for. She said the Medicare system should be preserved, rather than converted to a "privatized voucher" system.” [Times Call, 6/8/11]
NV-03: Heck dodges Social Security questions at forum [Las Vegas Sun]
“He took 30 questions from the audience and had time to spare before the scheduled end of the meeting, but he refused to go into depth about his positions on Social Security. […] Heck and his staff were clearly in damage-control mode after the congressman came under fire for calling the federal social welfare program a “pyramid scheme.” He made the comment during a town hall last month. […] At the town hall meeting Wednesday, a reporter again asked Heck about his pyramid scheme comments during the public question-and-answer portion of the event. Heck refused to answer.” [Las Vegas Sun, 6/8/11]
WI-07: Congressman Duffy meets protests [Superior Telegram]
“Rep. Sean Duffy, the freshman Republican from Ashland representing Wisconsin’s 7th District, was met with protests during a stop at the Superior-Douglas County Senior Center. […] “Medicare has been created because insurance companies didn’t want old, sick people,” said Philip Anderson, a Douglas County resident. He feared those younger than 55 now would be unable to find coverage, even with the subsidies. […]“No one is saying we can balance this budget by snapping our fingers,” the congressman said. But he doesn’t want to leave a massive debt to the next generation. That struck a chord with David Franks of Superior. The U.S. Navy veteran said his military retirement has been frozen for the past two years, and he has learned to stretch every dollar to care for his family. Government leaders have run amok with spending, he said, and they need to start pinching pennies.” [Superior Telegram, 6/8/11]
WI-07: Medicare dominates Duffy’s town hall chat [Duluth News Tribune]
“Health care and proposed changes to Medicare drew keen interest from community members — and protesters — during Rep. Sean Duffy’s visit Monday to the Superior-Douglas County Senior Center. “We’re here to save Medicare,” said Gilbert Davidson of Superior as he held up a sign along Tower Avenue before the meeting. “They’re robbing it, taking it away from us.” […] Jenice Meyer, a lifelong Superior resident, worried about how the change could affect her own mother, who is 54. Under the Republican plan, she said, seniors would receive about $9,750 a year in vouchers for insurance that would cost roughly $30,000. The high cost may push some seniors back into the workplace, or cause them to utilize other government programs like food stamps.” [Duluth News Tribune, 6/7/11]
WI-07: Protesters Crash Congressman Duffy's Visit [WDIOTV]
“Protesters and supporters attended a meeting at the Superior Douglas County Senior Center, voicing their opinions on whether Congressman Duffy should have voted to privatize medicare. What was supposed to be a quiet visit with Congressman Duffy, turned into a chaotic protest. […]. This was regarding Duffy's yes vote to a Republican back budget that would eventually privatize Medicare, and according to republicans, eliminate the nation's debt. More than 100 showed up and the atmosphere was as hostile outside as it was inside”. [WDIOTV, 6/6/11]
###
Want the latest updates? Follow the DCCC on Facebook and Twitter:
