Congressman Ryan hides after trying to attack Medicare in San Francisco

Congressman Paul Ryan Came to San Francisco to Attack Medicare and Social Security, but Went Into Hiding. Keep the Campaign for Healthcare Strong. Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) came to SF on May 24 to raise funds for his attacks on Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and Gay Marriage. He is the point person for the 1% attacks on our social investments. He was scheduled to speak at the GAP headquarters, but the GAP told him to move his fundraiser after massive outrage by the gay and healthcare communities. He then cancelled his fundraiser at the GAP. Activists from the California Alliance for Retired Americans, Gray Panthers, and Single Payer Now held a press conference at the GAP headquarters to denounce his attacks. We got coverage in both the San Francisco Chronicle and on KPFA radio. See picture of press conference and more on Ryan's program below. We hope you can make a financial contribution to keep the campaign for Medicare for All strong. To make a contribution, click here. Or you can send a contribution to: Single Payer Now PO Box 460622 San Francisco, CA 94146 Thank you, Don Bechler Chair - Single Payer Now 415-695-7891 Cell 415-810-5826 On March 21, 2012, Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released his GOP budget proposal (he calls it his "Path to Prosperity") for 2012 that would make deep, lasting cuts to many domestic programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, nutrition and housing programs.This proposal passed the House and is headed to the Senate, where we must defeat it. Ryan is in San Francisco today, May 24th to raise money for his proposal and for the Republicans. Ryan Plans to Cut Medicare As We Know It Most alarming are the proposals to end Medicare as we know it by replacing Medicare's guaranteed benefits with a "voucher" that beneficiaries would use towards the cost of private insurance or traditional Medicare. The voucher would be based on the second cheapest plan in the area. The voucher is unlikely to cover premium costs, out of pocket costs and the Congressional Budget Office estimates that beneficiaries would pay more than $1200 a year in by 2030 and $5900 by 2050 under this proposal. His plan also proposes to raise the eligibility age to receive Medicare to 67. Ryan's Plan to Gut Medicaid Ryans' plan proposes to block grant Medicaid (MediCAL) shifting costs onto already cash-strapped states by forcing them to provide funding or cut Medicaid benefits as costs increase. This would be especially devastating to older Americans and their families, as Medicaid is currently the provider of long term care coverage for seniors. Ryan's Plan to Privatize and Cut Social Security Under the Ryan Roadmap, Americans aged 55 and younger would be "allowed" to invest 1/3 of their Social Security contribution into a private account - a first step toward privatizing the entire program. He wants to tie future Social Security benefits to growth in prices, rather than the defined benefit it has been. And he is opposed to the best solution to secure Social Security for the future - by lifting the current cap on taxable income (right now, any income over $110,000 per year is not taxed) which would make Social Security solvent for the rest of the century.

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