Obama Vows to Protect Medicare

August 25, 2012

U.S. President Barack Obama says his administration has taken steps to keep Medicare viable. Medicare is the U.S. health care program for the elderly.

During his weekly address Saturday, Obama says he wants to strengthen and preserve Medicare, while Republicans want to turn it into a voucher program the president says will not keep up with costs. President Obama says Americans need to know the care they need will be available when they need it.

In the Republican address, Senator Rand Paul of the northern state of Minnesota accused President Obama of campaigning against people who have succeeded, and of vilifying those who employ millions of workers, condemning "the very system that made American great."