Rand Paul will make your grandma pay $2,000 to get Medicare treatments, according to a new TV ad from Paul’s rival in the Kentucky Senate race, Democratic nominee Jack Conway. Using a new video from the deep trove of potential oppo research Paul has left in his wake, the Conway camp has put together a tough ad that — literally — shows Paul creeping out very nice old ladies.
Back in 2009, Paul told a group of “conservative leaders in Lexington” (Conway’s camp isn’t being/can’t be more specific) that if he had his druthers, Medicare coverage would come with a $2,000 deductible to help reduce the cost of the program.
“We have to figure out how to get to more of a market-based system,” Paul says in the 2009 appearance, which was captured on video and sent over by Conway’s team. “The real answer to Medicare would be a $2,000 deductible — but try selling that one in an election year.”
Needless to say, the prospect of forking over $2,000 to get treatment covered by Medicare would likely be controversial one among seniors groups. Conway’s ad predicts the possible outcome of Paul’s Medicare plan with a series of upset old people speaking directly to camera.
“I can’t afford that,” says one woman.
Watch the ad:
Paul’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the spot, or the video of Paul’s 2009 Medicare comments clipped by the Conway camp. Here’s that video, in full:
The TPM Poll Average shows Paul leading 47.2-42.3.
Evan McMorris-Santoro
Evan McMorris-Santoro has covered politics for TPM since 2009. Before that, he was a reporter at National Journal’s Hotline covering election 2008. He started his career covering local politics at newspapers in TN and his native NC.
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