Starting a three-day tour of Western states, President Obama declared House Republicans' plans to turn Medicare into a voucher program and authorize Medicaid block grants to states "radical," according to a report by ABC News.
"I don't think it's particularly courageous," he said of the GOP plans at a meeting with Facebook employees. "Nothing is easier than solving a problem on the backs of people who are poor, or people who are powerless, or don't have lobbyists, or don't have clout."
The president said $1 trillion could be raised to help balance the federal budget by returning income tax rates for high earners to levels in the Clinton administration.
He also said healthcare providers could trim healthcare costs by moving to electronic health records. "A large chunk of our provider system is not automated," he said.
Read the ABC News report on the GOP plan for Medicaid and Medicare.
Read more coverage of the House GOP plan to change Medicare and Medicaid:
- Republican Plans for Medicare, Medicaid Could Decide 2012 Races
- Hospital Groups Slam GOP Budget Plan, Especially Medicaid Cuts
- GOP Proposal Would Fundamentally Change Medicare, Medicaid
"I don't think it's particularly courageous," he said of the GOP plans at a meeting with Facebook employees. "Nothing is easier than solving a problem on the backs of people who are poor, or people who are powerless, or don't have lobbyists, or don't have clout."
The president said $1 trillion could be raised to help balance the federal budget by returning income tax rates for high earners to levels in the Clinton administration.
He also said healthcare providers could trim healthcare costs by moving to electronic health records. "A large chunk of our provider system is not automated," he said.
Read the ABC News report on the GOP plan for Medicaid and Medicare.
Read more coverage of the House GOP plan to change Medicare and Medicaid:
- Republican Plans for Medicare, Medicaid Could Decide 2012 Races
- Hospital Groups Slam GOP Budget Plan, Especially Medicaid Cuts
- GOP Proposal Would Fundamentally Change Medicare, Medicaid