On Language
Been meaning to write this but haven't quite found the time. It concerns the narrative developing around the Ryan plan for Medicare. While it has been mentioned by many, because of the lack of uniformity on the issue, it is important to review some key terms in the debate.
Voucher
For most people, the term voucher suggests the full coverage for the purchase of an item.
Vouchers as applied in the vouchers-for-schools debate suggest that said vouchers will cover the full cost of tuition at any school - public or private. But the reality is that vouchers only cover the amount declared on the voucher. If a voucher is worth $1500 and the cost of the item is $2000, then the customer must make up the $500 difference. Vouchers, gift certificates, and coupons all share a similar redeeming quality (pun intended). That is, they reduce the cost of an item, sometimes (if one can find a great one) up to 100%. Essentially, a voucher is a coupon.
Most Americans are familiar with coupons. In fact, walk into the nearest family's kitchen and somewhere in there will be a drawer full of coupons for pizza and parmesan cheese packets. In fact, coupons happen to be causing a bit of an internet sensation at the moment. Americans are less familiar with the term voucher.
Ending Medicare
Technically, Medicare can be severely altered and still retain the name "Medicare." The Johnson administration program could be reconstituted as a federal program authorizing all seniors to enroll in aerobic water exercises or the non-Olympic event known as the iambic pentameter and as long as the piece of legislation was still officially deemed "Medicare", Medicare would still exist. Hence, it is important to add the "As We Know It" disclaimer or the tag "Current Version of…" One can even refer to the Ryan proposal as ending "the spirit of Medicare."
Putting it all together
A common language should be used to describe the Ryan/Romney plan. Some suggestions.
The Ryan/Romney plan...
- … replaces Medicare As We Know It with a coupon.
- … crushes the spirit of Medicare and replaces it with a coupon.
- … takes away your Medicare card and sends you a coupon instead.
- … retroactively takes away Harry Truman's Medicare card and offers him a coupon for his service to the country.
The point
Using the correct language to define the terms of any debate are always important. However, with stakes this high, it is even more so.