REPUBLICAN BUDGET WILL END MEDICARE

"Rep. Fudge stands up for seniors and the middle class against harmful cuts that impact the most vulnerable citizens"

WASHINGTON D.C.-- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) voted "No" today on the Republican budget sponsored by Rep. Paul Ryan, a bill that would end Medicare, devastating communities in the 11th district and leaving seniors responsible for the bulk of their health care costs, while giving governors the ability to cut Medicaid benefits to recipients and redirecting funds to state programs of their choice. 

While slashing health care coverage for 50 million Americans, the bill leaves $40 billion in Big Oil tax loopholes and makes permanent tax cuts for the wealthiest, adding $1 trillion to the deficit.  The GOP budget slices more than $6 trillion over the next decade from Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), and scores of other programs supporting low and moderate income Americans. 

"This budget would be absolutely detrimental to our seniors, disabled, and working families.  Fifteen percent of seniors in my district live in poverty.  The jobless rate remains in double digits in many communities that have yet to recover from the Great Recession.  CBO projections show this budget will not save money in the future, but, rather, it will shift costs to seniors and the poor.  I was not sent to Washington to support legislation that overlooks the people in my district who are truly struggling, which is why I am staunchly opposed to this budget." 

And the plan does not lower costs; it simply transfers the costs to seniors.  By 2030, typical 65-year-olds would be required to pay 68 percent of their coverage, which includes premiums, deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs, according to the CBO.  They'd pay 25 percent under current law.

"There is no shared sacrifice with this budget.  We must not allow the most vulnerable in our nation to 'pay the bills' while the wealthiest Americans enjoy all the breaks." 

Congresswoman Fudge voted for the Congressional Black Caucus' alternative budget.  It would increase funding for food stamps and invests billions in education and job training; she also voted for the Congressional Progressive Caucus budget, the "People's budget".

Congresswoman Fudge has pledged to fast for a day with 26 other members of Congress and Hungerfast, in opposition to the FY2012 GOP budget cuts that threaten vulnerable communities in America.  

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