Medicare Cuts to Stay in Health Care Bill

In anther issue of bill amending, the proposed cuts in Medicare that are currently in the health care bill are to remain in the bill. This was decided upon the decline of an amendment put forth by Arizona Republican Senator John McCain. The proposal from McCain would have given up the 400 billion dollar cuts from Medicare in the health care bill, which would have overall added more money (400 billion dollars) to the cost of the bill. The bill was vetoed with a 58-42 vote. The Republicans who supported the bill were worried that 400 billion cut from Medicare would make people who rely on Medicare Advantage lose some benefits. Democrats argued against this by saying that no "guaranteed" benefits would be lost in the cut. Interestingly enough, and perhaps the most interesting aspect of this story, is the fact that the AARP strongly supported the Democrats in this decision. To me, it seems strange that the interest group supporting retirees would support a cut in Medicare, because retired people are the majority of people who would be effected by the cut. In this sense, their Democratic support goes against rational thought. In a way, it shows that other measures in the health care bill are more important that this single Medicare cut; other privileges supported by the bill must balance out the cut in the eyes of the AARP. This issue shows the amendment process in the legislature, as well as the influence of interest groups in politics. The AARP is powerful, and their support does not go unnoticed. The link is HERE.