Republicans have declared that they won’t allow the nation to remain solvent unless Democrats agree to massive cuts to Medicare. This sort of hostage-taking is incredibly brazen, and it shows just how desperate Republicans are. They need an out after voting for the Paul Ryan plan to end Medicare, so they need to force Democrats to agree to Medicare cuts, too.

Fortunately, Democrats have taken a stand of their own. Senate Democratic leaders have declared that Medicare benefit cuts are off the table. If there are cost savings that can be found, they may be accepted, but benefit cuts are a non-starter.

Chuck Schumer, speaking about the Democrats’ opposition to Medicare benefit cuts, reminded everyone once again about the Republicans’ support for the Paul Ryan plan the end Medicare:

So Senator McConnell is saying if he can’t get the full Ryan plan, he at least wants a plan that makes major cuts to seniors’ benefits. Basically he’s saying if he can not dismantle Medicare all at once, he wants to do it in pieces.

That’s exactly right, and it’s about time Democrats start fighting back and taking things off the table themselves. The Republicans have taken just about everything off the table but the Ryan plan, and there’s no reason for the Democrats to stand for it.

This is a hopeful sign - Chuck Schumer says if Republicans want to bring health reform up for a vote in the Senate, Democrats will force a number of votes on provisions the American people support.

“Mitch McConnell has the right to offer an amendment,” Schumer said of the Senate Minority Leader, who has vowed to force a vote on the repeal. “If he does, if the Republicans offer an amendment on the floor, then we will require them to vote on the individual protections in the bill that are very popular, and that even some of the new Republican House Members have said they support.

“Are Republicans going to vote ‘no’ on a provision to maintain the donut hole benefits so that seniors pay less for prescription drugs? Are they going to vote against the ability of 21- to 26-year-olds to stay on their parents’ health care? Are they going to vote to repeal … the free check-ups that seniors on Medicare get which save billions of dollars in prevention?”

That’s what I’m talking about. The Democrats can’t just play dead on this. Many of the provisions in the health reform law are wildly popular; Democrats can’t let Republicans pretend those provisions don’t exist. They need to do exactly what Schumer is saying — force the Republicans to acknowledge the full impact of what they’re voting for.

Of course, I can’t ignore that this feels very much like last year, when I was searching for good news that Senate Dems would stand up for the public option. I’m glad Schumer said that, but I’ve been disappointed before. Ultimately, I’ll believe it when I see it.

[Via Political Wire]