I have consistently reminded readers that Medicare is the largest public health plan in the nation. It is administered by the federal government, which acts as a single-payer of primary medical expenses for people over 65.
Many Republicans have blasted public plans as "socialized medicine," but they have simultaneously tried to scare seniors into believing that the Obama administration wants to hurt Medicare recipients. Last week, the GOP released a Healthcare Bill of Rights for Seniors that opposes government involvement in medical services, but which promises that the Republican Party will protect Medicare.
Believing the Impossible
Apparently, the contradictory rhetoric has impacted many Republican voters. According to a new PPP poll, 62% of Republicans, as opposed to 24% of Democrats and 31% of Independents, support the idea the the "government should stay out of Medicare." As TPM observes, this is a factual impossibility: The government cannot "stay out" of a government-run health plan. Apparently, a solid majority of Republicans either wants to abolish Medicare or believes that it is a private health plan. Oy vey!
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