Rigell: No pushback over Medicare, Medicaid vote

While some Republican congressmen around the country are getting slammed at public appearances for voting for a budget proposal that would dramatically change Medicaid and Medicare, U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell said Friday he's not gotten any pushback.

"Now, I know there are surely people in the 2nd District who disagree with that particular plan," the Virginia Beach Republican said after finishing a luncheon speech to the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. But Rigell said he believes many of the "highly vocal" protests in other congressional districts were orchestrated by activist groups such as MoveOn.org.

The legislation, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, would not affect Medicare for people who are currently 55 or older. Anyone turning 65 in 2022 or later would use a voucher system that would provide an estimated $15,000 a year to help buy private health insurance, rather than being covered by Medicare.

The independent Congressional Budget Office concluded that, under the new system, most older people would pay more for health care in the coming decades. Starting in 2022, the age for eligibility would gradually increase; by 2033, it would be 67.

Medicaid, which provides health care to poor people, would be converted to federal block grants given to states for indigent health care. The bill also calls for repealing the new federal health care law that has expanded coverage to millions of Americans.

In addition, the budget proposal would lower personal and corporate tax rates and make cuts in other federal programs, including Pell Grants and subsidies for high-speed rail. The plan would begin to reduce the nation's budget deficit - the amount of money borrowed to pay expenses - but would not lead to a balanced budget for decades.

The measure passed the House on a largely party line vote of 235-193. It is expected to face more opposition in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Congress heads back to Washington on Monday after a two-week recess.

Rigell said he doesn't expect those using Medicare in the future to pay more because increasing the retirement age "makes the entire program more affordable."

Shifting Medicaid to a block-grant system means states can be more creative in finding ways to manage those services, he said.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Newport News, who opposed the legislation, said he, too, has not heard much public outcry over the legislation because most people don't understand it.

"It kills Medicare," he said, arguing that because of rising medical costs, the voucher system will not be enough to cover medical expenses of older people in the future.

By excluding current retirees from changes, the Republicans make it more palatable to older voters, Scott added.

But there's nothing to stop Congress in later years from adopting the voucher system for everyone.

Scott has also argued that shifting Medicaid to block grants and killing the new health care bill would result in many people being unable to afford proper care.

Joe Cook, a Hampton Roads activist for MoveOn.Org, said Rigell's comments about the group are "disingenuous."

Rigell is also supported by people who belong to activist groups, Cook said. "To discount people's opinions because they belong to a certain group is hypocritical."

Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com

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