Most of the media seem to have decided that their ratings and circulation are enhanced by referring to Paul Ryan as courageous and by complementing his plan for "putting everything on the table" despite the fact that his assumptions are a fantasy. So, for the time being, we will need some of the better left-wing media to fill in to explain the insanity of Ryan's plan. Here is a good example:
Quote:
Will Anyone Even Insure Seniors if Paul Ryan's Medicare Plan Passes?
Benjy Sarlin | April 15, 2011, 11:00AM
At first glance, Paul Ryan's plan to send millions of seniors into the free market with dwindling vouchers in hand might seem a boon to the private insurance industry. But would companies even want to participate?
Unlike the Affordable Care Act, which mandated that millions of young and healthy Americans purchase insurance with government subsidies, the Paul Ryan plan would instead bring the oldest, sickest, and least profitable demographic to the table. And with the CBO projecting that the average senior would be on the hook for over two-thirds of their health care costs within just 10 years of the plan's adoption -- a proportion that is projected to worsen in the long run --- the government subsidies backing them up may not bring in enough profitable customers to make things worthwhile.
"If reimbursement rates are too low to provide basic benefits, they'll tell the government, 'You do it,'" one insurance lobbyist told TPM. "I don't think they can require they lose money, they'd just pull out."...
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/04/will-anyone-even-insure-seniors-if-paul-ryans-medicare-plan-passes.php?ref=fpa
|
It is discouraging to see so many commentators treating Ryan as if he is credible, but he probably overreached by trying to eliminate Medicare and Medicaid. Those programs are so important to so many people, I think people will start paying attention to the flaws in Ryan's plan.