Regressives are desperate. During McCain's run for the presidency he proposed deep cuts to Medicare. Now according to regressives that seems to be a bad idea because....SENIORS WILL DIE SOONER!
For instance, the bill would establish an independent commission on Medicare payment rates. This is a very big deal and you are going to have to take my word that health care economists fall over with excitement when it comes up. But the Senate Democrats’ current version of the bill would only allow the panel experts to act when Medicare spending rises at a faster rate than other health care spending. Since health care spending has been going through the roof, we’re talking about waiting until Medicare spending goes through the ozone layer.
Obviously, this is an area where the Republicans would want to swing into action. And they did. They prepared an amendment eliminating the Medicare panel entirely.
In fact, G.O.P. senators appear to have amendments aimed at wiping out virtually all the cost-cutting the Democrats have put in the bill, including productivity adjustments and incentives for innovation in health care delivery.
If they can’t kill the bill completely, Republicans who are not from Maine seem intent on raising its price tag. While terrifying senior citizens in a cynical attempt to influence their vote in the next election cycle. Although I’m sure Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma just misspoke when he said: “I have a message for you: You’re going to die sooner."