Paul Ryan and Medicare Reform

Published October 19, 2012 | By Pauline Olvera

Medicare has been one of the major issues in this year’s presidential race. It has been stated that continuing down the path we are on right now will make Medicare insolvent within just a few years and that in order to preserve Medicare for our seniors and for future generations this program must be modified. But what’s the best way to cope with the program in a manner that keeps it available to those who need it most right now and yet ensure we can preserve it for the future? Below is an effort to explain the two ideas that are being presented today.

Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin Congressman best known for his exceptional knowledge of our nation’s budgetary concerns, now Mitt Romney’s running mate, has presented some very interesting reform ideas on this subject.

The proposals Paul Ryan suggests will not affect seniors who have retired or who are approaching retirement. If you are 55 years or older, Medicare in its current form will still be available to you.

The major modification comes to those recipients 54 years of age and younger, like me, who could chose to stay in the current Medicare plan as is or opt to enter into a new branch of Medicare called Premium Support.

This option to the Medicare program puts more control into the hands of the patient allowing each person to decide on a Doctor, service provider or insurance company of their choosing. This idea not only gives greater control of healthcare to the patient it also encourages competition among service providers and insurance companies.

Increased competition allows companies to compete for your service by manufacturing innovative products, crafting improved treatments and enhancing quality of care all while driving prices down.

In stark contrast, the current plan, The Affordable Healthcare Act, also known as Obamacare, removes $716 billion out of Medicare and transfers it to Obamacare. The current administration believes they can replace this withdrawal by paying doctors, hospitals and nursing homes less. Unfortunately many service providers have already stated they would have no choice but to stop accepting senior patients if this reduction in payment amount occurs. They simply cannot afford to offer the care necessary at these lowered rates resulting in decreased services, outdated products, increasing premiums and prices.

If Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are elected they have promised to repeal and replace Obamacare. Repealing it will allow them to restore the $716 billion dollar withdrawal and preserve Medicare for our seniors. Replacing it with the Premium Support program ensures the program remains intact for my generation and those who come after.

If over the years the government has taken Medicare down the road of insolvency, wouldn’t it be better if our healthcare were in our own hands instead of theirs?

This year the choice couldn’t be clearer, and my choice is Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.

Pauline Olvera is an Executive Officer on the Board of Governors for the grassroots organization The Colorado Hispanic Republicans