WASHINGTON–The Concord Coalition today praised President Clinton’s recent
efforts to encourage the House of Representatives to support Medicare
"means-testing."
"The president’s strong support of means-testing has taken the partisan
edge off this issue," said Concord Coalition Co-Chair Warren Rudman. "He
is offering political cover for those House members who remain reluctant
after last year’s partisan Medicare debate."
WASHINGTON–The Concord Coalition today praised President Clinton’s recent
efforts to encourage the House of Representatives to support Medicare
"means-testing."
"The president’s strong support of means-testing has taken the partisan
edge off this issue," said Concord Coalition Co-Chair Warren Rudman. "He
is offering political cover for those House members who remain reluctant
after last year’s partisan Medicare debate."
"While this means-testing proposal represents a modest reform, the
president’s support marks a significant shift," Rudman added. "It is a
signal that he is ready to put politics aside and begin leading the debate
on long-term entitlement reform."
On Sunday, July 13, the Concord Coalition ran an ad in The New
York Times urging the president to "take the lead" to ensure that the
House would support the Senate means-testing proposal as well as a measure
that would gradually raise the Medicare eligibility age for workers
retiring in the next century.
"At this important moment, Mr. President, it’s up to you to take
the lead," the ad stated. "After last year’s bitter political battles over
Medicare, the House is skittish about voting to touch senior benefits
without receiving a signal that you are on board. We urge you to send that
signal, loudly and clearly."
While raising Medicare’s eligibility age appears to be off the
negotiating table, the president’s pledge yesterday to support House
members who vote in favor of means-testing has apparently kept that reform
in play.
Follow this
link to read the text of the New York Times ad.
