McCain bill will aim to split Medicare from reconciliation

Politico ^ | February 28, 2010 | Staff

[yoe]

On the verge of a procedural fight over health care, Arizona Sen. John McCain, the Republican's presidential nominee in 2008, said Sunday that he plans to introduce legislation that would prevent Congress from changing Medicare through a process that only requires a simple majority in the Senate.

“Social Security cannot be considered in reconciliation,' McCain said on NBC's "Meet the Press," referring to a rule established in the 1970s by veteran Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.). "We should do the same thing with Medicare. (Sen.) Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and I will be introducing legislation: Entitlements should not be part of a reconciliation process -- i.e., 51 votes. It’s too important. … Let’s start over. … It’s not too late.”

Democrats are trying to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicare to pay for their health care bill, something that wouldn't be possible under McCain's proposal.

McCain also took exception with some of the deals cut with industries and individual senators to build support for the various bills. He cited protections for the pharmaceutical industry that would block the reimportation of prescription drugs and preserve a favorable reimbursement structure for drug makers under Medicare.

"These are unsavory deals," McCain said. "People object to the process as much as they object to the product."

The Arizona senator also rejected the suggestion that Democrats genuinely wanted to work with GOP lawmakers.

"There is no doubt in my mind that this is a center-right country, and this administration is governing from the left.," McCain said. "We need to start over,"

[Mr Rogers]

I have US military retirement, and my wife & I have always saved our money. I fully expect that 15 years from now, Social Security will be means-tested, and I’ll lose it all.

I’ll be glad to give it up, tho, IF - huge IF - it is a part of dramatically changing entitlements before our country goes bankrupt.

[GailA]

I know, that was what my husband who retired as a Senior Chief (20 years) was told. He’ll be 70 in July, we can’t afford obamacare cuts to our Medicare/Tricare for Life and NO COLAS...both are admined out of the same agency. Along with our life savings being eaten up but his rotten economy. His retirement check has income tax taken out (per his request so we don’t owe at the end of the year) and was $10.80 lighter since January and the GW tax cuts expired.

Our Military who lay their lives on the line daily, are seperated from their families for long periods of time, deserve the BEST we can give them, including the promises the government made them. I’ve made my calls to Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker (TN)..my rep is a commie obamabutt kisser in a safe seat.

Thank your for your service.

[pabianice]

Please thank your husband for his service, too. The truth is that if you join the military to gain the nation’s thanks, you’ll be disappointed.

[GailA]

I know, we saw it when you guys came back from Nam, and they tried to do it to the Iraqi Vets. My quilt guild along with others across the nation make Valor Quilts for the Wounded, and we also make the for the Alpha-Omega Houses (transition housing) for addicted Vets who have been through rehab. It’s the libs that don’t appreciate our Military. All the conservatives I know have very strong feelings for our Military. Of course I live in a small town that is home to a Navy base...BUPERS.