Reed did however address possible house reforms on medicare. “We cannot do nothing,” said Reed. “Medicare is in need of reform in order to save it. And if the protestors are advising me not to support a reform that could potentially save medicare and allow medicare to fail that is not something that I would agree with them on.”–Ithaca.com
“It became necessary to destroy the town to save it,” —unidentified U.S. Army officer.
We care about listening to the people from our district as we go through the major changes in the coming year,” said Reed. “We have an unprecedented opportunity for a meaningful fresh start, and the ability to reach across the aisle to make impactful positive changes for the people around our region. We want to make sure they are included in this process.”
What positive changes he has in mind, Reed doesn’t say. One worries that they include cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Affordable Health Care.
Reed went on to outline his policy priorities, highlighting opportunities to work with the incoming Administration and his role as Vice Chair on the Trump Transition Team. “I think the economic message from the White House is clear. We need to let the world know that America is open for business. We need to attract international investment and bring U.S. companies back from overseas. We can do just that by reforming our tax code, making it simple, fair and competitive,” said Reed.
Will we let the world know that America is open for business by erecting trade barriers? Will cutting business taxes really bring jobs home. Paul Krugman calls this voodoo economics and predicts a worldwide depression. Having experienced the great recession of 2008, I am wary of Republican economic ideas.
Reed also addressed the need for bipartisan healthcare reform. “We’ve heard from people throughout our region who have lost healthcare because of the Affordable Care Act, or those who can no longer afford their premiums because of new mandates. Obamacare is wreaking havoc in rural communities by limiting access and driving costs up,” said Reed.
Evidently Tom can’t hear the many in NY-23 who want to retain the benefits of Obamacare.
The House passed a measure late last week which is the first step in the repeal and replace process. “We have a lot of great ideas to help get costs under control, but it is critical that we have this discussion with an open mind and listen to the American people while we develop the consensus we need to get a replacement package in place,” Reed added.
What “great ideas” he may have, Reed doesn’t say.
Reed also reiterated his support for popular Obamacare provisions including guaranteed coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and expanded coverage for children up to age 26.
While valuable, these are not the key benefits of Obamacare. The most important provision for keeping costs down is affordable care for all. Reed’s pronouncements on health care usually boil down to “all you can afford.”
“We are optimistic that as we have a fresh start, we can develop consensus and get to work for the American people,” Reed concluded.
I don’t believe Reed has any interest in consensus. He can’t even hear any ideas that differ from his own.
https://reed.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reed-fights-bright-future
