Congressional Leadership Fund again targets Democrats on Medicare cuts

{mosads}The fund issued a release to the districts of 11 Democratic members charging that potential cuts to Medicare Advantage, a popular Medicare program, could eliminate some options for seniors, ultimately forcing some off of plans they prefer.

“Democrats infamously promised that if you liked your healthcare plan, you could keep it under Obamacare,” said CLF Communications Director Dan Conston in a release.

“Now with millions of seniors likely forced off plans it’s becoming painfully clear President Obama and Congressman Rahall have broken their promise. Seniors deserve an explanation from Congressman Rahall why his healthcare bill is hurting them and breaking its promise,” he adds, in the release sent to Rep. Nick Rahall’s (W.Va.) district.

A similar release will also go to the districts of Democratic Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick (Ariz.), Ron Barber (Ariz.), John Barrow (Ga.), Collin Peterson (Minn.), Carol Shea-Porter (N.H.), Bill Owens (N.Y.), Tim Bishop (N.Y.), Jerry McNerney (Calif.), Kurt Schrader (Ore.) and John Garamendi (Calif.), all top seats for CLF in 2014 and all targeted by the group’s first 2014 attacks, issued last week.

The releases will be backed by search advertising directing Web users to more information on the potential cuts, and promoted tweets in the members’ districts, charging “New Medicare Advantage cuts supported by @[lawmaker’s username] to force millions of seniors off current plans” and “Myth: keep what you like under Obamacare. Fact: New Medicare Advantage cuts eliminate popular choices,” both with links to further information.

Medicare Advantage could undergo “steeper-than-expected” cuts in 2014 to the funding it receives from the government, according to The Associated Press.

The Health and Human Services Department recently proposed a 2.2 percent payment cut for Medicare Advantage plans in 2014; the rate will be finalized in April. The rate cuts are due in part to the healthcare reform law passed in 2010.

Medicare and Medicaid have been set largely to the back-burner in recent months, as lawmakers debate government spending and gun control. And since President Obama’s reelection, much of the furor over his healthcare overhaul has died down, with calls for repeal of the law largely disappearing.

However, this marks the second effort from CLF to target Democrats on potential cuts to Medicare, indicating Republicans could try to make the issue stick going into 2014.