New Reports Show District-by-District Impacts of Ryan Budget on Seniors

Impact of Rep. Paul Ryan's Budget on Seniors

Below is the full text of the letter sent by Rep. Waxman to colleagues to assist them in understanding the ramifications of the Ryan budget on seniors.

October 16, 2012

Dear Colleague:

The House Republican Budget makes a number of significant changes to Medicare, Medicaid, and numerous other programs that benefit seniors.  To assist members in understanding the effects of the House Republican budget in their districts, my staff has prepared reports assessing the impacts of the Ryan budget on seniors in every congressional district. 

Nationwide, the Ryan budget will increase the cost of remaining in traditional Medicare by $29,000 over a typical senior’s lifetime; it will raise drug costs for 5.5 million seniors by an average of more than $9,200 each; and it will eliminate the requirement that all 45 million Medicare beneficiaries receive free preventive care, costing the average senior as much as $2,500 over the next decade.  The Ryan budget will also reduce health care services or increase the cost of health care for seniors who rely on Medicaid, reducing federal support by more than $3,500 annually for the average senior on Medicaid and by more than $11,000 annually for the average senior receiving nursing home coverage through Medicaid.  The Ryan budget also makes significant cuts to programs that help seniors pay for food, afford their housing, and avoid consumer scams. 

The reports we have prepared show what these cuts mean for your district.  They contain data demonstrating the many ways in which the Ryan budget threatens the critical programs that seniors in your district depend on.    

I hope these reports are helpful to you.  You can view and download your report here. 

Sincerely,

Henry A. Waxman  
Ranking Member