Subject: Excerpts from DNC Press Call on Jeb Bush’s Plan to “Phase Out” Medicare
From: DNC Press <[email-masked]>
To: DNC Press <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2015 19:32:33 +0000

At last night’s Americans for Prosperity “Road to Reform” event in New Hampshire, Jeb Bush said<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry_fRjLyE68&feature=youtu.be> “we need to figure out a way to phase out” Medicare for future enrollees.
Today, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DNC Vice Chair and Chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party Hon. Ray Buckley, Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Rich Fiesta, and Hampton, NH Senior Lenore Patton held a press call to respond. Here are a few excerpts from the call:
DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz:
“Once again, Jeb Bush has shown that he just doesn’t get it on the issues that matter to middle class families. Maybe Jeb Bush can afford to get by without Medicare. I’m sure the Koch brothers would be fine too. But millions of Americans are counting on Medicare when they retire for access to quality, affordable health care. I am sick and tired of Republicans who say that the only way to save Medicare is to destroy it. But my frustration is nothing compared to what it must be like for hardworking Americans who have their peace-of-mind and well-being threatened every time Republicans want to score a few political points.”

DNC Vice Chair and Chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party Hon. Ray Buckley:

“This is just the latest chapter in a long book of Republicans trying to destroy Medicare or turn it over to corporations. Nearly the entire Republican field supported Paul Ryan’s efforts to end Medicare as we know it. And Jeb Bush just made it crystal clear. Bush also said last night that he thinks phasing out Medicare will be a quote-unquote “winning argument.” I’m happy to take that bet. Not here in the Granite State.”
Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Director Rich Fiesta:
“Jeb Bush’s campaign is starting to look like something out of a Dickens novel. Saying you’re going to phase out a successful program is not just cruel, it’s short-sighted. On the same day that the Medicare trustees said that the program will be solvent through 2030, and just a week before we celebrate the program’s 50th anniversary, Jeb Bush says we need to phase the program out. We can’t afford to have someone in the White House who would dismantle a program that has worked for 50 years and is helping Americans.”
NH Senior Lenore Patton:

“I am frustrated that Jeb wants to phase out Medicare. I thought this fight was over when President Obama was elected and our country rejected the Romney-Ryan plan to privatize Medicare. Seniors like me have worked hard their whole lives, supported their families, given back to their communities. It’s clear Jeb Bush doesn’t get it. Calling for phasing out Medicare and repealing the Affordable Care Act, which has saved seniors money, is not what we need.”