In The News

BY BILL HUIZENGA | DETROIT FREE PRESS GUEST WRITER

There has been a lot of talk this year in Congress about how to save money to ensure that our children and grandchildren see the same opportunities we've been afforded.

As the Obama administration requested and was denied a stand-alone $2-trillion increase in the nation's credit card limit, we must first look to the causes of so much of our federal spending and how we can reform them. Unfortunately, while they want more money to burn, the president and Senate Democrats have failed to put forward any real plan for how to address the underlying drivers of spending.

As we look to the future of our country, we know that we must create an atmosphere for private sector job creation, reduce deficits and preserve the American dream for future generations.

This is a three-step process, and House Republicans have already acted on the first two steps: First, cut as much spending as possible and then, more important, change the way we budget to start looking long term.

The third and most important step is entitlement reform. House Republicans are the only ones to offer a viable solution to address our entitlements.

Now, if you're 55 and older: Your benefits will not change, and you can stop reading here. My parents, who are in their 80s, will not see any change.

The time has come that we must have a fact-based conversation about modernizing Medicare for our generation and our children's and grandchildren's.

The simple truth is, the current path of Medicare is unsustainable.

If you remember only one thing from the official annual review of the financial future of Medicare, remember this: Medicare as-is will run out of money in 13 years.

To avoid bankruptcy without modernizing the program means immediately slashing benefits to current recipients by at least 17%, or raising the total taxes in each paycheck in America by at least 24% to pay for it, or raising the premium that most seniors pay to see their doctors -- currently set at $115.40 per month without reforms -- by more than $3,000 per month, or some combination of all three.

This will clearly hurt current beneficiaries and still risks causing the program to disappear by the time our children need it. Republicans know that future seniors deserve better, and we are beginning a fact-based conversation on how to protect Medicare and save it for the future.

Democrats in the Senate and the president have failed to offer a plan to save Medicare. In fact, as Nancy Pelosi said, "It is a flag we've planted that we will protect and defend. We have a plan. It's called Medicare."

With five young kids of my own, I want them to see the same benefits we're entitled to, and I am personally fighting to save Medicare for them.

That's why I support the only plan that preserves and protects Medicare for both this generation and the next.

Facts to consider about the House plan:

• Benefits for anyone 55 years or older will not be affected.

• Future retirees (now 54 years old or younger) will select from competing private insurance plans approved by Medicare that will provide guaranteed coverage options from which recipients can choose a plan that best suits their needs.

• Medicare beneficiaries will be able to choose a plan the same way members of Congress and many federal employees do.

• Assistance for lower-income beneficiaries and those with greater health risks will be provided.

• The plan stops the $500-billion raid on Medicare from the president's health care law. Any current-law Medicare savings must go to saving Medicare.

Unlike the Senate Democrats, the Republican House is planning for future generations, not just future elections. I want to be sure that your family and mine will be able to get Medicare benefits, too, and that current beneficiaries will see no changes.

Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, represents Michigan's 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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