DES MOINES – The National Journal’s report last week on the “grayest” congressional districts, has made Congressmen King and Latham’s silence on the Republican plan to gut Medicare and Medicaid even more troubling.

The report showed Iowa’s 4th and 5th congressional districts have among the highest percentage of residents over 65 years old, with 15.9 and 16.8 percent respectively.¹ Despite this, King and Latham have refused to oppose House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan’s plan to gut Medicare and raise premiums on Iowa seniors.

“If threatening the welfare of half a million Iowans who depend on Medicare wasn’t enough warrant opposition from Congressmen King and Latham, I don’t know what is,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “As members of Congress, representing districts with large senior citizen populations, it’s unbelievable that they would stand by while Republicans dismantle Medicare and Medicaid as we know it.”

Under Ryan’s plan, as many as 32 million Americans would lose their health insurance, states would be burdened with increased costs, and Medicare recipients would receive vouchers that would not cover their payments. ^2,3,4,5

“King and Latham should stand on the side of Iowa seniors and join Democrats in opposing Ryan’s extreme plan,” added Dvorsky.

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Sources:

1. The National Journal, “They Grayest GOP Districts,” 4/7/11 (PDF: NJ_Grayest_4_7_11).
2. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Ryan-Rivlin Plan Would End Guaranteed Medicare, Shift Medicaid Costs to States and Beneficiaries, 3/22/11.
3. Washington Post, What Paul Ryan’s budget actually does, 4/4/11.
4. TPM, “CBO: GOP budget would increase debt, then stick it to Medicare patients,” 4/5/11.
5. The New Republic, “Ryan to 32M Americans: No Insurance for You,” 4/5/11