Gingrich Says G.O.P.’s Plan Is Too Extreme
Just a few days following his announcement that he is pursuing candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, Newt Gingrich, harshly condemned the House Republican’s plan to renovate Medicare radically, which is the federally funded program that provides health care to retirees.
Gingrich, who is the former Speaker of the House, led a conservative resurrection back in the ’90s. He said that the Republican’s plan for Medicare is “too big a jump” for the citizens of this country, comparing it to the overhaul in health care already put in motion by Democratic President Barack Obama.
Appearing on the NBC television show Meet the Press, Newt Gingrich said,” I’m against Obamacare, which is imposing radical change, and I would be against a conservative imposing radical change.”
Why G.O.P.’s Plan may be to Radical?
Gingrich said, “I don’t think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering.” He also said, “I don’t think imposing radical change from the right or the left is a very good way for a free society to operate.”
The Republican’s plan to refurbish the Medicare program is the most extensive since the creation of the program. Instead of direct payment for health care, health care coverage for older citizens would be subsidized.
Republicans in the House have portrayed this plan as a way to address the long-term financial issues in the nation. On the other hand, Democrats, along with their many allies, have sought after seizing the public’s concern over the plan, stating that such changes could actually hurt elderly citizens, who are somewhat of an influential group when it comes to voting.
Faced with public meeting filled with protest following the introduction of the Medicare proposal back in early April 2011, House Republicans have begun to indicate that they are ready to put the plan on the back burner for the time being.
photo credit: ProgressOhio
