Initially Called It A “Kamikaze Mission” Now Admits He Supported Voucher Plan All Along And Still Does
Ron Johnson has been one of the biggest cheerleaders for the Ryan Plan that would end Medicare as we know it by turning it into a voucher program and potentially increasing out-of-pocket costs for seniors. Ron Johnson is so supportive of a plan to gut Medicare in fact, that he’s voted for in three times, claiming it showed “courage.”
A few month ago, perhaps worried about his upcoming re-election in which public polling shows him losing by 16 points, Johnson was suddenly running from the dangerous budget plan. But not because he wants to keep Medicare intact, as he explained back in March whenasked about the plan:
“What you’re asking me is, yeah, hey, Republicans, why don’t you go on a kamikaze mission here and why don’t you lead and give your political opponents all this ammunition to just slaughter you in the next election?”
Now, Johnson has decided to stop hiding his support for the voucher plan and he’s doubled down on the proposal. The Hill reports:
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), one of the most vulnerable Republican senators up for reelection next year, suggested he wouldn’t mind a premium support model, but wants to examine the House proposal more closely.
“I think long-term that’s the direction we’re going to have to go,” he said. “Bring more free-market competition into it to actually limit costs and improve the quality of customer service.”
“Ron Johnson has previously tried to hide his record of repeatedly voting to end Medicare as we know it, but all that running has him gasping for air because he’s decided to double down on his support for the dangerous plan,” said Sadie Weiner, DSCC National Press Secretary. “Wisconsin seniors deserve a Senator who will always vote to protect Medicare not someone like Ron Johnson who has consistently supported efforts to dismantle this critical program.”
BACKGROUND:
Johnson Voted For The Ryan Budget Three Times. [Vote 46, 3/21/13; Vote 98, 5/16/12; Vote 77, 5/25/11]
- Johnson Said The Ryan Budget Showed “Courage” And Wanted To Go Even Further In Slashing Programs. [Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel,4/29/11]
- Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Johnson “Voted Yes On The Ryan Plan” And “Called Medicare Unsustainable Without Structural Changes.” [Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 5/25/11]
Johnson Voted Against Preventing Medicare From Being Privatized Or Turned Into A Voucher Program. [Vote 90,3/25/15]
