Ryan Challenger Delivers Thousands of Signatures to Save Medicare

Saying Congressman Paul Ryan is on the wrong path with his plans for Medicare, Democratic challenger Rob Zerban on Tuesday delivered boxes of petitions to Ryan's Racine office, all signed by Americans who disagree with Ryan.

Zerban and a handful of volunteers walked down 6th Street in downtown Racine behind a "Rob Zerban for Congress" banner to deliver between 35,000 and 40,000 signatures gathered online and from districts across the country to oppose Ryan's plan to turn Medicare into a voucher program. Zerban said he has not heard from Ryan about the opposition to his proposals and thinks the congressman will ignore the calls from his constituents.

"Medicare and healthcare are big issues this election cycle," he said. "But Congressman Ryan is turning a deaf ear to the First District here in Wisconsin while he's busy on national TV."

A statement released by Ryan's office after the boxes were delivered said that Medicare needs fundamental changes to survive.

"According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, Medicare goes broke in 2022," Ryan wrote. "This means today’s beneficiaries — those who rely on Medicare the most — are facing a future of uncertainty and doubt about how they will access health care services. We believe Americans deserve better."

Zerban thinks privatizing Medicare is simply the wrong way to go, and he signed a .

"The majority of Americans and nearly 53 percent of Republicans say they don't like Congressman Ryan's plans for Medicare," Zerban said outside Ryan's Racine office Tuesday. "People want the program around for their kids and their grandkids and turning Medicare into a voucher program scares them. Quality healthcare should not be a partisan issue."

But Ryan said his plan doesn't change Medicare for anyone age 55 and over while the changes he proposes allows the country to keep its promise for future generations of Americans who will need it.

"This budget makes no changes to Medicare for those over the age of 55 and gives future beneficiaries the ability to choose from a list of guaranteed coverage options, including a traditional Medicare fee-for-service option, to find a plan that best meets their needs," Ryan continued in his written statement. "Under this budget, Medicare benefits are secured for current seniors and preserved for future generations guaranteeing Washington makes good on its promise to provide a viable health security net for all Americans.”

According to Beth Pramme, communications director for the Zerban campaign, Democratic challengers in at least five other states also delivered signatures to the Republican incumbent's office:

• Darcy Burner - First Congressional District in the State of Washington
• Eric Griego - First Congressional District in New Mexico
• Ann McLane Kuster - Second Congressional District in New Hampshire
• Chris Donovan - Fifth Congressional District in Connecticut
• Lois Frankel - 22nd Congressional District in Florida

Even though the signatures have been delivered, Pramme said residents can still add their name to the list if they want by visiting www.protectmedicarenow.com.