Eyeing Presidential Run, Rubio Outlines Medicare Plans
Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio outlined his policy plans to journalists.
The Wall Street Journal: Sen. Marco Rubio Calls For Social Security, Medicare Changes
Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), considered a likely presidential candidate in 2016, on Tuesday called for structural changes to Social Security and Medicare as a way to control spending for both programs, which are growing steadily as the U.S. population ages. Without changes, the program's financial problems will continue until "the programs will cease to exist certainly as we know them," Mr. Rubio said in a speech at the National Press Club (Paletta, 5/13).
USA Today: Marco Rubio Embraces Paul Ryan’s Medicare Overhaul
Rubio has previously offered support for Ryan’s proposal to transition the entitlement program from a guaranteed benefit to a “premium support” system where seniors are given federal vouchers to purchase insurance on the private market, but his speech offered his clearest policy prescriptives yet on how to shore up the safety net for future generations. He said the changes would not apply to those 55 and older (Davis, 5/13).
Reuters: U.S. Senator Rubio Unveils Proposal To Reform Retirement Policy
Democrats rallied against Rubio's plan. "This afternoon Senator Rubio renewed the GOP's commitment to ending Medicare as we know it, forcing future seniors to spend more out of pocket on medical care when they need it most," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Michael Czin (Debenedetti, 5/13).