What's behind seniors' fears of GOP Medicare plan?

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Republican plan to privatize Medicare wouldn't touch benefits for people now age 55 or older. Yet many of the loudest objections to the plan are coming from seniors complaining to their lawmakers during the congressional recess.

The plan's author, House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, says he thinks that's mainly because Democrats are scaring older people by distorting the details of his proposal. Ryan says cost-cutting is necessary to save Medicare for future generations. He says once seniors understand that they aren't affected by the plan, most don't oppose it.

Alice Rivlin disagrees. A Democrat who worked with Ryan on an earlier Medicare plan, she objects to this one. Rivlin says seniors aren't just thinking about themselves but want to preserve Medicare for the next generations.