Politics & Government

Woodall Grilled Over GOP Medicare Reform Plan

Town hall attendees express concern over potential benefit cuts.

More than 75 people were in attendance at Rep. Rob Woodall’s May 21 town hall meeting at . Though a few constituents asked about health care reform and the FairTax, the vast majority of questions centered around a (see video).

According to GOP lawmakers, changes would not affect those currently 55 years of age or older. Under the proposal, eligible recipients would receive a federal voucher or subsidy for use towards the purchase of a private insurance plan. If the reform proposal is enacted, private insurers -- not the federal government -- would issue payments for medical care and compete for business from those covered under the plan.

Rep. Woodall said the goal of the Medicare reform proposal is to keep the program solvent.

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“I know Medicare isn’t going to be there for me if we don’t make changes,” he said. “I know Medicare might be there if do we make changes.”

Earlier this month, Woodall joined with 41 other freshmen Republican colleagues in urging President Barack Obama to fulfill commitments made last year to engage in fact-based conversations on Medicare reform.

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“Our entitlements are in trouble, our nation’s finances are in trouble, and it is time to have serious discussions on what we can do to fix our problems before our nation becomes insolvent,” Woodall said in a May 11 press release.  “Conservatives in Congress have put forth a proposal that guarantees seniors fifty-five and older get to keep their current plans, while providing real choices to those fifty-four and younger.” 

Woodall took questions for just over an hour during Saturday’s meeting. He thanked those in attendance and promised to hold another town hall meeting in the near future. Woodall’s next scheduled appearance in Dacula is the on Monday, May 30.

Woodall’s 7th Congressional District includes all of Barrow and Walton counties, most of Gwinnett County, and portions of Forsyth and Newton counties.

Kristi Reed is the Local Editor for Dacula Patch


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