Editorial: Obama’s Medicare Plan ‘a Good Starting Point’
A New York Times editorial notes that "President Obama's plan to cut $248 billion from Medicare over the next decade as part of his deficit reduction plan has drawn heat from all sides," but it argues that "the proposal is a good starting point that can be modified in either direction -- to increase savings or to protect vulnerable beneficiaries." The editorial continues, "There are ways President Obama could get bigger savings from Medicare, perhaps by accelerating the start date for the new charges on beneficiaries or making them apply to all enrollees," adding, "That would have to be done carefully to avoid undue harm." It concludes, "Obama has already wisely pledged to veto any cuts to Medicare benefits that are not part of a package that raises serious revenues from the wealthiest Americans and the biggest corporations."
- "President Obama's Medicare Proposals" (New York Times, 9/24).