Laura
04-17-2011, 10:59 PM
Information Alert: President Obama Commits to Protecting Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security
The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) strongly supports President Obama’s commitment to protect Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. In his speech this week on America’s fiscal future, President Obama framed the budget debate in a way that responsibly approaches spending reduction without destroying some of the most important programs that enable people with disabilities to live independently.
The speech by the President comes at a time when people with disabilities are more nervous than ever about block granting Medicaid, privatizing Medicare, and eliminating Social Security. The current political incentive to cut the deficit and reduce spending has raised fears about indiscriminately slashing and changing these programs at the expense of working-class families and people with disabilities. Drawing contrast between his vision and that of House Republicans, the President noted that “The difference with the House Republican plan could not be clearer. Their plan essentially lowers the government’s healthcare bills by asking seniors and poor families to pay them instead. Our approach lowers the government’s healthcare bills by reducing the cost of healthcare itself.”
Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security are vital programs that help millions of Americans live better and more independent lives. The commitment by the Obama Administration to stand up for these programs represents an important shift in the national debate over spending. “Let me be absolutely clear, I will preserve these healthcare programs as a promise we make to each other in this society. I will not allow Medicare to become a voucher program… I will not tell families with children who have disabilities that they have to fend for themselves. We will reform these programs but we will not abandon the fundamental commitment this country has kept for generations. That includes, by the way, our commitment to Social Security.”
NCIL appreciates the President’s promise this week to preserve these essential programs while also rejecting myths that have been created by the House Republican proposal. “We don’t have to choose between a future of spiraling debt and one where we forfeit our investment in our people and our country.” NCIL applauds the President’s dedication to protecting programs that enable people with disabilities to live more independently.
The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) strongly supports President Obama’s commitment to protect Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. In his speech this week on America’s fiscal future, President Obama framed the budget debate in a way that responsibly approaches spending reduction without destroying some of the most important programs that enable people with disabilities to live independently.
The speech by the President comes at a time when people with disabilities are more nervous than ever about block granting Medicaid, privatizing Medicare, and eliminating Social Security. The current political incentive to cut the deficit and reduce spending has raised fears about indiscriminately slashing and changing these programs at the expense of working-class families and people with disabilities. Drawing contrast between his vision and that of House Republicans, the President noted that “The difference with the House Republican plan could not be clearer. Their plan essentially lowers the government’s healthcare bills by asking seniors and poor families to pay them instead. Our approach lowers the government’s healthcare bills by reducing the cost of healthcare itself.”
Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security are vital programs that help millions of Americans live better and more independent lives. The commitment by the Obama Administration to stand up for these programs represents an important shift in the national debate over spending. “Let me be absolutely clear, I will preserve these healthcare programs as a promise we make to each other in this society. I will not allow Medicare to become a voucher program… I will not tell families with children who have disabilities that they have to fend for themselves. We will reform these programs but we will not abandon the fundamental commitment this country has kept for generations. That includes, by the way, our commitment to Social Security.”
NCIL appreciates the President’s promise this week to preserve these essential programs while also rejecting myths that have been created by the House Republican proposal. “We don’t have to choose between a future of spiraling debt and one where we forfeit our investment in our people and our country.” NCIL applauds the President’s dedication to protecting programs that enable people with disabilities to live more independently.