Trump has not spent much time talking about his vision for Social Security, Medicare and health care. But, were he to become president, he has promised on day one to ask Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And, while Trump’s campaign web site makes no mention of Medicare or Social Security, the Republican Party platform–Trump’s party platform–would cut and privatize Social Security and Medicare benefits. In short, if Trump is elected, health, financial and retirement security would be at serious risk for tens of millions of Americans.
To be clear, the 2016 Republican Party platform does not explicitly state that the Republicans support these cuts. Rather, it says: “we oppose tax increases and believe in the power of markets to create wealth and to help secure the future of our Social Security system.” You can check out Social Security Works’ annotated version of the Social Security section of the platform, translating the text, here.
Republicans say they will leave Medicare as is for people 55 and over. But, if Republicans have their way, when people under 55 today turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare, they will likely have far higher costs and far less choice of doctors and hospitals.
In ten years’ time, Republicans want to cap the amount that the government contributes to people’s care, moving Medicare from a defined benefit program covering all the care people need, to a defined contribution or “premium support” program that would likely cut benefits and shift more out-of-pocket health care costs to people. Republicans also likely want to privatize Medicare, a recipe for limiting choice of providers and driving up health care costs rather than reining them in.
The Republican platform also suggests that Republicans continue to want to raise the age of eligibility for Social Security and Medicare and further means-test Medicare. It calls for “setting a more realistic age for [Medicare] eligibility.”
On his web site, Donald Trump recognizes the high price of prescription drugs. He calls for allowing people to import drugs at lower prices from abroad in the spirit of free trade. “Allowing consumers access to imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas will bring more options to consumers.”
For Trump’s views on Social Security and Medicare over the last 17 years, check on the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare’s interactive timeline.
Here’s more from Just Care:
“we oppose tax increases and believe in the power of markets to create wealth and to help secure the future of our Social Security system.”
that is hardly unique to either party..it is the foundational credo of capitalist america and what the owners of both wings of the ruling party insist on, with stress increased or relieved as conditions warrant until they get completely out of hand, as at present…expecting either of these parties to do anything but perpetuate the system that is failing humanity and not just americans is believing in the tooth fairy, santa claus and mickey mouse.
You guys keep ” forgetting” that SS and medicare was put on the table for the one and only time during debt negotiations, by a democrat: Obama. So stop the fear mongering, at least just about republicans. Your ignorance is deliberate. I am a green party member, not a Trump supporter.