As both parties press their views about revamping the program, a National Journal poll says both sides think they can win on the issue. Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that even as the Romney-Ryan ticket seems to be holding its own against Democratic attacks on the issue, some Republicans down the ballot are concerned.
National Journal: Convention Insiders In Both Parties Embrace Medicare Debate
Since Mitt Romney picked Paul Ryan as his running mate, President Obama and Democrats have hammered the GOP ticket over the Wisconsin representative's plan to reform Medicare. Normally, Republicans run from this issue. But lately, they think the Romney-Ryan team is actually helped by the debate, according to a National Journal Convention Insiders Poll conducted on Tuesday. The poll-;an anonymous survey of Democratic and Republican elected and party officials, grassroots activists, consultants, fundraisers, lobbyists, and allied interest-group leaders-;found that [the] majority of both GOP and Democratic operatives sense their respective standard-bearers can win on the Medicare issue (Barnes, 8/29).
The Boston Globe: Medicare Arguments Key For Both Parties
Elections are usually about change. But one of Mitt Romney's most important messages at the Republican convention this week might be this: "Nothing changes for current seniors or those nearing retirement." That is the mantra that the Romney campaign has been emphasizing since the pick of Paul Ryan. It is an effort to counter charges from President Obama's campaign that the Wisconsin congressman's proposal to replace Medicare with a voucher system -; an idea also embraced by Romney -; would hurt senior citizens (Kranish, 8/30).
Modern Healthcare: Dems, GOP Bring Medicare Debate To Tampa
Hours before Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) scheduled remarks at the Republican National Convention, Republicans and Democrats in Tampa, Fla., promoted their respective messages on Medicare, a top issue in this presidential campaign since the Wisconsin Republican became Mitt Romney's running mate. Together, the Democratic National Committee and the Obama for America campaign hosted a news conference featuring Democratic lawmakers and citizens, including Florida resident Carole Nenninger, who spoke about how the Medicare program helped her manage soaring medical bills since her husband was diagnosed with cancer five years ago (Zigmond, 8/29).
The New York Times: Ryan Medicare Plan Is Already Shaking Up House Races
Republican and Democratic pollsters and strategists say a curious split is developing around the Ryan plan. The top of the Republican ticket -; Mitt Romney and Mr. Ryan -; is holding its own with the issue in a presidential contest that has shown little movement in polls for months. But down the ticket, Medicare attacks are taking a serious toll on Republicans (Weisman, 8/29).
Related KHN Coverage: Medicare Takes Center Stage In Close Pennsylvania Races.
Meanwhile, several news outlets look at elements of both Republican and Democratic plans-
Kaiser Health News: FAQ: Obama v. Ryan On Controlling Federal Medicare Spending
It may come as a surprise that President Barack Obama and GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan are pushing the same target rate for controlling federal spending on Medicare. Each would set it at half a percentage point higher than the growth rate of the economy – the gross domestic product – after a phase-in period. Looking at their plans in more detail, however, their approaches to curbing costs are very different. And the practical effects on seniors are also likely to be different (Werber Serafini, 8/29).