Cuts Versus Vouchers: Obama, Romney Sum Up Medicare Disagreements in Debate

Did you catch the presidential debate last week? One of the most talked-about issues this year has become Medicare and, as it’s often put, how to fix it.

Conveniently, Kaiser Health News has posted a clip of the part of the debate in which the candidates, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, discussed their Medicare plans. Kaiser also included a transcript.

While criticizing Obama’s plan, Romney claims Obama is cutting $716 billion from Medicare. Romney says those cuts are affecting current retirees. “Some 15 percent of hospitals and nursing homes say they won’t take any more Medicare patients under that scenario.” He says his own plan won’t affect people who have Medicare now.

When criticizing Romney’s plan, Obama says he disagrees with the idea of vouchers. He claims Romney’s plan will lead to the eventual collapse of traditional Medicare. “And then what you’ve got is folks like my grandmother at the mercy of the private insurance system precisely at the time when they are most in need of decent health care.”

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Leigh Ann Otte is a freelance writer who specializes in health and aging issues. She covers finding and paying for senior care for OurParents. If you have any questions about this post or need help finding senior-care options for a loved one, call 1-866-483-4896 to speak with a care advisor in your area.