Here's the most important thing you need to know about the Republicans' new budget plan: It abolishes Medicare within 10 years！

Dear ＫＥＶＩＮ

Here's the most important thing you need to know about the Republicans' new budget plan: It abolishes Medicare within 10 years.1

Republicans were already threatening to shut down the government at the end of the week,2 but the budget plan they released yesterday takes things to a new level.

They want to eliminate the guarantee of medical care to seniors in America. Their budget plan would replace Medicare with vouchers that seniors would use to pay Big Insurance. And if the vouchers aren't enough to pay for their care—and the Congressional Budget Office says they won't be—too bad.3

The plan is so radical that many Republicans won't say whether they support it or not, so we're trying to get every Republican member of Congress on the record by the end of the week answering a simple question: "Will you oppose the Republican plan to abolish Medicare?"

We don't know where Rep. Flores stands yet. Can you call him right now and ask? The person you talk to will probably try to dodge the question, but do your best to pin them down. Here's where to call:

Representative Bill Flores
Phone: 202-225-6105
Let us know what he said by clicking here.

Republicans will try to spin the plan as "cuts" or "reforms" to Medicare, because they know how unpopular it is. But the plan isn't reform, it's wholesale privatization of Medicare. Their plan abolishes the guarantee of care that defines Medicare.

In fact, by 2030, the CBO estimates the average senior would be paying Big Insurance more than $20,000 each year out of pocket.4 If they can't afford it, then they won't get care. And seniors aren't alone—the Republican plan also includes devastating cuts to Medicaid, repeals the health care reform we all fought so hard for, and gives millionaires huge tax breaks.5

The Republicans who proposed this plan are driven by a deeply dangerous ideology that would undo many of the greatest progressive achievements of the last 100 years. But the programs they're attacking are hugely popular, so we have an opportunity to make Republicans afraid of the consequences of their radical proposals.

That starts with getting Rep. Flores on the record about where he stands on the Republican plan to abolish Medicare. Can you call him right now and ask whether he will oppose the plan to abolish Medicare?

Here's where to call:

Representative Bill Flores
Phone: 202-225-6105
Let us know what he said by clicking here.

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Peter, Milan, Laura, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "A Conservative Vision, With Bipartisan Risks," The New York Times, April 5, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/06/us/politics/06ryan.html?hp

2. "Obama, congressional leaders make no progress on budget," The Washington Post, April 5, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207462&id=26818-4797084-qiCUVdx&t=4

3. "CBO: Seniors Would Pay Much More For Medicare Under Ryan Plan," Kaiser Health News, April 5, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207463&id=26818-4797084-qiCUVdx&t=5

4. "Representative Ryan Proposes Medicare Plan Under Which Seniors Would Pay Most of Their Income for Health Care," Center for Economic and Policy Research, April 6, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207464&id=26818-4797084-qiCUVdx&t=6

5. "CBO: Seniors Would Pay Much More For Medicare Under Ryan Plan," Kaiser Health News, April 5, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207463&id=26818-4797084-qiCUVdx&t=7

"Tax Plan From GOP Promises Rate Cuts," The Wall Street Journal, April 6, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=207465&id=26818-4797084-qiCUVdx&t=8

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