Congressman Woodall’s Reply May 3
This is what I got back in reply from Congressman Woodall:
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about Federal spending, specifically related to the military and drug law enforcement. I appreciate hearing your perspective.
In a time of fiscal austerity, I agree it is important to evaluate all areas of Federal spending, inclusive of defense. In many instances, however, foreign intervention is a key part of our nation’s defense mission around the world. That said, while it is important to defend our shared values around the world, we need to define a coherent purpose and strategy in our foreign campaigns.
As part of the recent Federal budgetary discussions there have been proposals to extend the life of Medicare. Many seniors have been told by special interest lobbyists and partisan reporters in Washington, D.C., that Congressional efforts to save Medicare will destroy Medicare and leave today’s seniors without health insurance. This is false! Americans age 55 and older instead will be able to rely on Medicare as they have always planned. The very same Medicare system that seniors enjoyed in last year, will be the same Medicare system that they will enjoy next year and for years to come. The only changes in Medicare being discussed at all are for younger Americans age 54 and under.
For many years, Medicare has been called the “third rail” of politics, because anyone who dared reform the system would be shocked by the voters in the next election. Unfortunately, too many politicians have ignored much-needed Medicare reforms, and now, we are faced with a Medicare system that has $23 trillion in unfunded liabilities and risks bankruptcy by 2020. Something must be done now, and I am proud to say that I stand with my House Budget Committee colleague Chairman Paul Ryan in calling for rescuing Medicare for Americans age 54 and younger.
Under our reform plan, Americans would no longer be forced to accept only two choices for Medicare: traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage. Instead, our plan allows younger Americans to choose from a plethora of health insurance plans that best fit their needs. This new and improved system would, for the first time in generations, make the government nothing more than a supporting player in the health care system. Not only does this type of reform get the government out of Americans’ health care choices and empower Americans to take control of their own health, but it also preserves the Medicare program for our children and grandchildren. Without reforms for younger Americans, Medicare will soon cease to exist for all Americans.
In 1965, the government made a promise to working Americans that it would help them afford quality health insurance during their retirement. Though the program has expanded significantly from its original intent, and now faces severe financial constraints, I intend to keep that promise. But this promise cannot be kept if we continue to ignore implementing necessary reforms. Scaring senior citizens by telling them that Republicans are trying to take away their Medicare is immoral, and refusing to tackle the difficult issues facing America will only lead us to bankruptcy. This is unacceptable, and I hope that all Americans will reject fear and embrace our responsibility to preserve Medicare for future generations and restore our nation’s fiscal future.
Turning now to the “war on drugs,” I believe that criminal laws are best determined by the states. Many good ideas come to my desk each and every day, but that doesn’t mean that all of them should be implemented on the Federal level. States should have the freedom to chart their own course, even if that means potentially making and learning from their own mistakes, particularly as it relates to medicinal drug use, sentencing policies, treatment services, and more.
Again, thank you for contacting me with your concerns about these spending programs. I will continue to fight for fiscal austerity.
