A senior appeal as Obama focuses on Medicare in Florida
- 12 years ago
U.S. President Barack Obama on the campaign trail in the battleground state of Florida used his stop in Melbourne Sunday to vow to protect Medicare, the popular government health insurance program for the elderly.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
"I'm not going to eliminate health insurance for millions of Americans who are poor or elderly or disabled all so those with the most can pay less. And I want you to know, Florida, I will never turn Medicare into a voucher."
Two years ago, Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's vice presidential running mate proposed a plan that would transform Medicare into a voucher program in which recipients would buy private insurance.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
"So, here is the bottom line, their voucher plan for Medicare would bankrupt Medicare. Our plan strengthens Medicare. No American should have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies. They should retire with the dignity, the respect and the care that they have earned.
Obama has traveled to Florida 10 times so far this year, according to his campaign. It is the largest of the so-called swing states in the election where seniors make up nearly 30 percent of the electorate and vote in large numbers
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
"I'm not going to eliminate health insurance for millions of Americans who are poor or elderly or disabled all so those with the most can pay less. And I want you to know, Florida, I will never turn Medicare into a voucher."
Two years ago, Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's vice presidential running mate proposed a plan that would transform Medicare into a voucher program in which recipients would buy private insurance.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
"So, here is the bottom line, their voucher plan for Medicare would bankrupt Medicare. Our plan strengthens Medicare. No American should have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies. They should retire with the dignity, the respect and the care that they have earned.
Obama has traveled to Florida 10 times so far this year, according to his campaign. It is the largest of the so-called swing states in the election where seniors make up nearly 30 percent of the electorate and vote in large numbers