TPMDC

Boehner: Our Medicare Privatization Plan Doesn’t Privatize Medicare

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH)

Faced with growing public skepticism of House Republicans’ plans to privatize Medicare, Speaker John Boehner claimed Wednesday that the GOP’s Medicare privatization plan doesn’t privatize Medicare.

“There’s no privatizing of Medicare,” Boehner said. “We’re transforming Medicare so that it’ll be there for the future.”

A reporter asked Boehner whether his members support the GOP budget, which includes a plan to give seniors vouchers to buy insurance in a private marketplace. He offered less than a full-throated defense.

“I think it’s an option worth considering,” Boehner said. “I think our members are in full support of us continuing to march forward with our budget.”

Cold feet? We’ll find out soon — the House will vote on the budget resolution Friday.

Brian Beutler

Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.

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