SHAHEEN: HOUSE BUDGET WOULD HURT SENIORS

(Washington, D.C.) – Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) released the following statement in anticipation of her vote against the House Republican budget:

“The House Republican budget would end Medicare as we know it. For a typical senior on Medicare in New Hampshire, out-of-pocket health care costs will double under this proposal, to $12,000 dollars a year.

“We need to strengthen Medicare, not destroy it. We started that work in last year’s health care reform bill, and we need to do more to improve the quality of care while reducing costs.

“By contrast, the House Republican proposal eliminates the current Medicare system and asks seniors to negotiate a deal with private insurance companies for basic health coverage. That's unworkable and unacceptable. The Republican plan does nothing to reduce the cost of health care – it just shifts the cost of health care to seniors.  That’s why I intend to vote against it, and that’s why I’ll continue to fight against this dangerous proposal.”