Editorial Weighs GOP Health Care Ideas in Budget Proposal

A Los Angeles Times editorial states that "House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has a straightforward solution" to address escalating costs associated with government-administered health care programs: "Get the federal government out of the health insurance business, not just for the elderly (through Medicare) but also for the poor (through Medicaid)." The editorial discusses Ryan's budget proposal to "start replacing Medicare in 10 years with subsidies for private insurance policies" and "to immediately convert direct federal support for Medicaid into block grants." These proposals could "leave seniors, states and the poor more exposed to ever-higher costs," the Times argues. However, the editorial adds that "some of Ryan's ideas are promising," such as reducing premium subsidies to "the wealthiest 8% of seniors to help poor recipients cover their out-of-pocket costs."

• "Can Medicare Be Saved?" (Los Angeles Times, 4/17).