Public Opposition To Medicare, Medicaid Cuts In Debt Ceiling Deal Leads To Local Protests

A group of protesters delivered petitions with 1,600 doctors’ signatures to John Boehner’s district office yesterday, asking the House Speaker to reject additional cuts to Medicare and Medicaid as part of any debt ceiling deal. “Let’s not dismantle it, let’s try to innovate, but do not amputate this wonderful program,” Don Nguyen, the state director of Doctors for America, said to Boehner’s representative.

Throughout the debt ceiling talks, Republicans have offered a series of proposals — from Ryan’s budget, to Cut, Cap and Balance, to Boehner’s latest deficit proposal — that would significantly lower Medicare and Medicaid spending. Democrats had also reportedly endorsed a series of entitlement cuts in exchange for revenue increases, although Sen. Harry Reid’s latest plan does not include any of these reductions.

Still, Americans are deeply opposed to cutting social safety net program and have been protesting such Congressional proposals throughout the country. Below is a sampling of recent actions:

– MICHIGAN: Seniors, parents, workers, and advocates called on Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) to reject any deal to raise the debt ceiling that includes cuts in Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. [7/21/2011]

– WISCONSIN: Seniors delivered a return receipt to Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) District office in Racine, WI calling on him to return his government insurance. [7/19/2011]

– NEW MEXICO: Seniors and health advocates held a press conference in front of Rep. Steve Pearce’s (R-NM) district office calling on him to return his government insurance.” [7/14/2011]

– WISCONSIN: Advocates asked the five Wisconsin Congressmen to return their government-funded health insurance coverage for voting in favor of Paul Ryan’s plan. [7/13/2011]

– FLORIDA: Local representatives and senior groups asked members who voted for the Paul Ryan plan to return their government-sponsored insurance. [7/12/2011]

The latest July 14-17 Washington Post/ABC News poll found that 72 percent of Americans oppose cutting Medicaid spending — including 59 percent of self-identified Republicans — and 54 percent are against raising the Medicare eligibility age.