By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor
Rep. Jim Gerlach isn’t backing down from Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget plan or its changes to Medicare. In an op-ed column to the Pottstown Mercury titled “Fix Medicare now to avoid breakdown,” the Congressman reiterated the GOP’s message that reform is necessary to protect Medicare from bankruptcy.
“Would the House Republicans’ plan to preserve Medicare terminate the program as political opponents suggest?” Gerlach wrote. “That’s about as ludicrous as arguing that fixing a flat tire on a Lamborghini transforms it into a Prius.”
“Bottom line: let’s stop the scare tactics and attacks on those proposing thoughtful solutions and seeking to have a fact-based debate.”
Gerlach also noted the GOP’s point that Medicare won’t change for Americans 55 and older, as well as Republican criticisms that the Democrats’ Affordable Care Act cut $500 billion from Medicare.
“Medicare needs a tune up before it suffers a catastrophic breakdown and leaves our grandchildren and future retirees stranded.”
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also noticed Gerlach’s piece, and just issued a press release rebutting it, including links to several media reports about the plan.
“Yesterday, while claiming to want a “fact-based debate” about the future of Medicare, Representative Jim Gerlach (PA-06) repeatedly misled his constituents about his vote to end the popular program,” read the DCCC release.
“In reality, Gerlach voted to end Medicare, turn Medicare into a voucher system, and make healthcare more costly for current seniors.”
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One Response
It looked like Trivedi (and more broadly Democratic candidates challenging GOP House members) didn’t have much of a chance. The House races were getting ignored, and the Republicans did a good job playing keep-away in redistricting. Gerlach now represents a safer district by dumping Lower Merion and being given voters far afield in Lebanon County. However, the selection of Ryan as VP made be a shot in the arm for the Democratic House candidates. It brings into focus the GOP House budget plan which Gerlach has offered full throttle support for the last several months including the Medicare vouchers which would not be increased with health care inflation–a classic ‘screw the future’ move. I’m not predicting a Trivedi win, but Gerlach’s record on Medicare and being so pro-Ryan in a swing type of district could potentially make the 6th district a competitive race as in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008 with at least the possibility of a Trivedi upset. I think Gerlach has gone off a limb here because of how connected he is with Medicare Advantage companies for campaign contributions. More broadly Romney did the House Democratic challengers a huge favor by selecting Ryan. There is now a clear contrasting issue which can be highlighted by Democratic congressional candidates. Democrats have been losing lots of elections the last several years. However, one of their big wins was in an upstate NY congressional race where Kathy Hochul upset the Republican candidate running against the Ryan budget plan. Here’s the ad the Democrats are running in Michigan. I suspect that Gerlach is a strong candidate to run a similar advertisement against. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR5IJB_SoYQ