government
GOP freshmen ask Obama to turn down Medicare rhetoric
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 23, 2011
New House Republicans have asked President Obama not to use rhetoric about GOP proposals to overhaul Medicare against them in the 2012 elections.
"We have all been guilty, at one time or another, of playing politics with key issues facing our country," the letter signed by 42 House Republicans states. "As the freshman class, we have the opportunity to wipe the slate clean and fulfill the mandate set by the people to strengthen our country for future generations -- not continue the petty politics we have seen in the past, which only creates an environment of stalemate."
The letter defended GOP plans to rein in Medicare spending. Under that plan, people 55 and older would remain under the current system and younger Americans would receive federal vouchers to purchase private coverage.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee responded to the letter by calling the GOP freshmen hypocrites, noting that 21 of the signatories ran Medicare advertisements against their Democratic opponents in the 2010 elections.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/23/gvbf0523.htm.
