[kubekniekubek]

TPM: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2...on.php?ref=fpb

In a potentially dire sign for Republicans looking ahead to 2012, a Pew poll released Monday finds that a strong majority of elderly Americans oppose the GOP's proposal to privatize Medicare.

In addition, the poll found that not only do Democrats oppose the proposed changes, but pluralities of both Republicans and independents do as well.

Overal 41% of Americans opposed turning Medicare into a voucher program where seniors would buy their own coverage in the private sector, while 36% supported such a plan, according to the poll. Opposition is heavily skewed toward older Americans, as might be expected, with people over 65 years-old lining up against the plan by a 51% to 25% split. Fifty-one percent of respondents in the 50-64 year-old bracket also opposed the plan, while 32% supported it.

Compare that to the two youngest demographics broken out by Pew, where pluralities actually supported the GOP plan. Among the 18-29 year-old crowd, 46% favored the Ryan plan, versus 26% who said the opposite. And among 30-49 year-olds, 38% supported the GOP's Medicare privatization plan, while 36% opposed it.

[Kotyara]

What percentage of people over 55 know that under the Ryan plan, for them, Medicare will be essentially unchanged?

[lrtoinbert]

I don't think changing Medicare from what it is today to a voucher program is "essentially unchanged," Paul. I'm sure you'll argue differently, but fifty-one percent of those aged 50-64 don't agree.

[domeffire]

Fact: Medicare doesn't change under the Ryan plan, for those 55 and older. Not even debatable. The question is are you ignorant of this fact or are you intentional spreading this lie?

[aaaaaaaabbbby]

Oh, sorry. I misread your post as "under 55." For those over 55, the Ryan Plan repeals the Affordable Health Care Plan, which would immediately open the coverage gap in the prescription drug coverage, plus they would lose other benefits such as no-cost wellness visits, mammograms and colonoscopies.

[antipenq]

DES points out two major changes from today's coverage that seniors would face under the Ryan plan. And there's a third major one: Those seniors in toughest financial conditions, "dual elegibles" who collect both Medicare and Medicaid benefits to deal with long-term care, would see their Medicaid payments eliminated immediately under the Ryan plan.

[KitRittyTug]

Oh, sorry. I misread your post as "under 55." For those over 55, the Ryan Plan repeals the Affordable Health Care Plan, which would immediately open the coverage gap in the prescription drug coverage, plus they would lose other benefits such as no-cost wellness visits, mammograms and colonoscopies.

Just let me get this straight, seriously. Are you talking about repealing ObamaCare and that some things that Medicare recipients would get under that plan that at present they don't get?

Has Ryan said that he objects to new legislation that would close that gap?

[ChicasCams]

Let's say that the GOP passed a bill that had in it everything you hate about Conservatives but had one small part that increased educational aid to poor single mothers under the age of twenty-one. The Dems take over in the next election and hurriedly wish to dismantle the effects of the GOP bill and decide the best thing to do is repeal the whole thing. Would it be reasonable for me to claim that the Dems want to throw poor young single Moms under the bus?