Tom Marino’s new TV ad hits back against charges that he voted to end Medicare and blasts Dem challenger Phil Scollo over unpaid taxes.

“See this ad attacking Tom Marino? It’s a lie. Independent fact check groups call Phil Scollo’s claim ‘the lie of the year,’” says the announcer.

“Scollo backs Obama’s reckless budgets, bailouts and taxes on the middle class.”

It’s a response to Scollo’s first ad, in which a woman says, “Tom Marino voted twice to end Medicare.” The citation for that claim was refuted by FactCheck.org because it takes out of context a report by the Wall Street Journal.

The citation was a misfire, but Scollo’s campaign noted in a statement that the underlying attack is accurate. “Marino has voted twice to essentially end Medicare and turn it into a voucher program that would cost seniors over $6,000 more per year out-of-pocket,” he said, referring to the House GOP’s budget.

Medicare and that budget is the number one issue for every top tier Democratic challenger in Pa. this cycle.

The budget, which Marino supported, would make Medicare more like a voucher program and cost future seniors (those who are 54 years-old or younger at present) more out of pocket. Proponents like Marino note that Medicare is headed for bankruptcy and reform is vitally needed.

The second part of Marino’s ad stings the most. It hammers Scollo for unpaid tax debt.

“Wall Street Phil has big, unpaid tax bills of his own. Phil Scollo: disgraceful attacks to hide his job-destroying agenda and checkered past.”

It cites a report that Scollo owes over $44,000 in state and federal taxes. Scollo said the debt is a result of medical expenses, and his campaign was outraged about the attack.

His campaign called the line “sickening” and said Marino was out of touch for making it.

“Phil Scollo runs his own business and the buck literally stops with him. When unexpected medical expenses came his way, he owned up to them and pursued the most responsible financial route possible,” the statement said.

“The truth is, if Tom Marino loses his Congressional benefits package, he’ll have to pay for his healthcare costs out of pocket like Phil Scollo did when he was helping his wife through her breast cancer treatments.”