Coburn, Burr Promote New Medicare Plan

Updated: February 16, 2012 | 8:42 a.m.
February 16, 2012 | 7:48 a.m.

Two GOP senators took to the airwaves today to promote a new Medicare rescue plan they are unveiling today.

The plan, proposed by Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Richard Burr, R-N.C., features a gradual increase in Medicare eligibility age, an accelerated transition to private health insurance for many seniors, and higher premiums for middle- and upper-income recipients.

“Tom [Coburn] and I believe that we have a moral obligation to save Medicare for our parents and our children, and to provide seniors a choice in the system so they can have a cheaper health care system,” Burr said on MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Thursday. “It’s less expensive I might say, but with a better health outcome.”

Coburn and Burr acknowledged that the plan, called the Seniors’ Choice Act, is unlikely to advance in Congress during a heated election year, but they promoted its bipartisan points.

The two senators also appeared on CNN's Early Start Thursday morning.

Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for National Journal’s AM & PM Must Reads. News and analysis to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

Leave a Comment
The National Journal Group has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate.
Comments powered by Disqus
Follow National Journal
  • NationalJournal on Twitter
  • NationalJournal on Facebook
  • NationalJournal on Tumblr
  • NationalJournal's RSS Feeds
  • NationalJournal's Email Newsletters
  • NationalJournal on iPhone and iPad
Columns
Josh Kraushaar: Against the Grain

The Emerging Democratic Divide

9:30 p.m.
The brouhaha over a moderate New Jersey mayor’s comments has aggravated tensions that have been growing within the party’s coalition.
Charlie Cook: Charlie Cook's Off to the Races

If It Hits the Fan

May 21, 2012
Europe’s economy is in a tailspin and China’s is slowing. Our political system is a mess. Who are voters going to blame if it all goes bad? Not just Obama.
Gwen Ifill: Gwen's Take

History's Romance: Why Politics Past Beats Politics Present

May 21, 2012

Is it just my imagination, or have politics and politicians grown smaller?

More Columns »
Expert Opinions
Energy Experts

Powering Our Military: What's the Role of Clean Energy?

12:59 p.m.

Latest Response by Tom Buis: American Families Need American Fuel

Energy Experts

Powering Our Military: What's the Role of Clean Energy?

10:35 a.m.

Latest Response by Keith Crane: DoD Renewable Fuels Investment Premature

Energy Experts

Powering Our Military: What's the Role of Clean Energy?

9:40 a.m.

Latest Response by Kathleen Sgamma: Access to American Oil Provides Security

More Expert Opinions »