The November U.S. presidential election may turn on how voters react to one key proposal by Republicans involving the popular Medicare program, which provides government-subsidized health care to citizens 65 years and older. Budget analysts from left and right agree that the program faces financial stress as large numbers of so-called baby boomers reach the age of eligibility. But they disagree on what should be done.
At the University Village Senior Living Community Clinic in Tampa, Florida, Hugh Clark gets his blood checked regularly.
Having had heart problems, he relies on Medicare and opposes any plan to change its status as a government-run program.
"There are some things that are better run by the government than would be run privately," he said.
His friend and neighbor, Ann Cook, agrees. She says she is unimpressed by the Republican promise to preserve the program as it is for those 55 years of age or older.
"I care very much about what happens to coming generations. I am not selfish enough to care only because they say it won't affect us," she said.
But she recognizes the challenge facing the program as government revenues fail to keep up with the numbers of people reaching retirement age.
"You probably have to raise the age incrementally a little bit because people live longer and work longer," she said.
The Republican Medicare reform proposal is contained in a budget plan developed by the party's vice presidential nominee, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, who spoke to the convention here in Tampa Wednesday.
"We had help from Medicare, and it was there, just like it's there for my mom today. Medicare is a promise, and we will honor it," he said.
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Health Care Program for Seniors Emerges as Key Election Issue