Rep. Paul Ryan and his "Path to Prosperity" for private insurers. (Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS)
Remember last week, when the GOP was busy continuing the work
Alan Simpson started a decade-and-a-half ago,
attacking the AARP? The basis of their attack is that the organization will benefit financially from the Affordable Care Act through the royalties it receives for Medicare supplemental plans that use the AARP name. That, they insist, is a sign of corruption or something, because why else would the organization want to see health insurance extended to more people?
That's how the Republican mindset works. Because that's how Republicans work. Quid pro quo, baby.
Representative Paul Ryan’s budget proposal to end traditional Medicare for future generations would benefit private insurers, whose employees have given the Wisconsin Republican more money than any other industry.
Ryan has received $672,203 from insurance employees and their families since 1997, his largest industry source of campaign donations, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington research group. The figure includes all insurers, not just health-insurance companies. Employees of Blue Cross/Blue Shield companies and their trade group gave $48,650, his ninth-largest individual source of funds.
His proposal would transform Medicare, the federal health- care program for senior citizens, for all Americans now 54 and under. Under his budget plan released yesterday, the government would provide subsidies for the purchase of private insurance.
But, of course, that's profits to the private sector health insurance industry, which will come undoubtedly be rewarded to Ryan and his colleagues. That's totally different than the royalties received by AARP, "used to support AARP's social welfare programs, which include helping older Americans find jobs, providing information on financial security and aiding the hungry."