A budget proposal unveiled yesterday by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and eight other Republican senators includes block grants for Medicaid but leaves Medicare and Social Security largely untouched, according to a report by The Hill.
Under block grants, states would receive lump-sum payments and would be free to create their own policies regarding coverage.
The 10-year budget proposal would balance the budget in roughly nine years by cutting discretionary spending. It does not address entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security, to the chagrin of some right-wing conservatives.
Sen. Toomey said in The Hill report that while the budget doesn't tackle entitlement programs, he is "not afraid to address them." Adding, "If you can’t even pass a budget — do we really think we're going to get Social Security and Medicare reform? I'm not very optimistic," according to the report.
Read The Hill report on Medicaid.
Related articles on Medicare and Medicaid:
President, GOP Agree Medicare Spending Must be Tamed, But How?
With Medicare Off the Table, Medicaid is Chief Target for Cuts
Under block grants, states would receive lump-sum payments and would be free to create their own policies regarding coverage.
The 10-year budget proposal would balance the budget in roughly nine years by cutting discretionary spending. It does not address entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security, to the chagrin of some right-wing conservatives.
Sen. Toomey said in The Hill report that while the budget doesn't tackle entitlement programs, he is "not afraid to address them." Adding, "If you can’t even pass a budget — do we really think we're going to get Social Security and Medicare reform? I'm not very optimistic," according to the report.
Read The Hill report on Medicaid.
Related articles on Medicare and Medicaid:
President, GOP Agree Medicare Spending Must be Tamed, But How?
With Medicare Off the Table, Medicaid is Chief Target for Cuts