U.S. Rep Larsen says recent Republican budget would end Medicare as we know it U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) assailed the Republican budget released today by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan.

The budget revives a proposal to convert Medicare to a voucher-based system.

“I am astounded that Republicans are once again trying to end Medicare as we know it after the American people so soundly rejected that effort last year,” Larsen said. “The foundation of Medicare is the guaranteed benefit. This budget would end the guarantee of care and increase costs for seniors. Tens of thousands of seniors in Northwest Washington depend on Medicare as their only source of health care coverage. The Republican budget would slash care while providing even more tax cuts to the very wealthy in this country. I will fight against it.”