Debbie Wasserman Schultz: Farewell Medicare

Republicans have dreamt of this moment.

Americans have feared it.

With Donald Trump as our President-elect and Paul Ryan returning as Speaker of the House -- Republicans are ready to dismantle Medicare.

Speaker Ryan is looking to fulfill his long-held dream of shredding our social safety net, and Medicare will go first. His long-time “Ryan Plan” to turn Medicare into a voucher system could actually happen.

We have to stop the GOP from destroying Medicare as we know it. Sign the petition.

Many Americans do not know a world without Medicare. It has been a reliable and spectacularly effective program for more than a half a century. With Medicare, older and disabled Americans can afford access to necessary health care services without taking on crushing expenses.

Medicare is essentially a promise. With each paycheck, Americans contribute to Medicare throughout their working lives so it will be there when they reach retirement age and live on a fixed income.

Speaker Ryan wants to break this promise. He’ll give seniors vouchers to buy plans on the private insurance market, but if that voucher doesn’t fully cover costs -- tough luck. With the Ryan Plan, the next generation will be left to struggle with their medical bills in their golden years.

I’m a mother and a cancer survivor. Believe me when I say this: Your health and your family’s health is everything. Abolishing Medicare as we know it is a disastrous idea.

Make sure President-elect Trump, Speaker Ryan, and Republicans hear us: Add your name to protect Medicare.

These are battles we can’t afford to lose,

Debbie