WASHINGTON — Democrats are suddenly blasting Republicans on the campaign trail over a surprising new topic: their plans to reform Medicare.
Touching any kind of entitlement spending is generally unpopular with voters, particularly ahead of a midterm election. Republicans’ official campaign platform provides scant detail about the issue, beyond a vague promise to “save and strengthen” Medicare and ensure its financial solvency.
But a large caucus of House Republican lawmakers produced a policy paper earlier this year that outlined several concrete ideas to change Medicare that would upend the status quo for the entire health care industry, and beneficiaries as well. The proposals include raising the eligibility age for the program, encouraging more competition between traditional Medicare plans and private plans, decreasing what Medicare pays hospitals for off-site services, and slashing subsidies to insurers and hospitals.
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