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As a candidate, he "remain(ed) committed to making sure Social Security (remain) solvent and viable for the American people now and in the future."
Moreover, he opposed privatizing Medicare, promising "a universal health care bill, allow(ing) people who do not have access to group coverage through their employers or public programs....to buy into a national pool (under) a new public plan....that offer(s) comprehensive (affordable) benefits," including for prescription drugs.
At a February press conference, however, he promised major entitlement program cuts as part of his deficit reduction program. Emphasizing the need for "tough choices," despite inflicting "real pain" on working Americans, he said:
"Medicare and Medicaid are huge problems because health care costs are rising even as the population is getting older. And so what I've said is that I'm prepared to work with Democrats and Republicans to start dealing with that in a serious way. We made a down payment on that with health care reform last year."
Social Security is also targeted, Obama's deficit reduction commission proposing deep cuts in Medicare, increasing Medicaid co-pays, raising the Social Security retirement age to 69, and reducing cost-of-living increases as an initial broadside before ending these programs entirely.
At his press conference, Obama outlined a two-step process:
-- a five year discretionary spending freeze combined with major education, environmental, and other social benefit cuts; and
-- "entitlement reform," on the backs of working Americans least able to afford it.
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