Christie To Propose Big Changes To Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid

04.14.2015 | Surge Wire |

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will call for major reform to Social Security Tuesday, including eliminating the benefit for seniors making $200,000 or more, reducing the benefit for seniors making more than $80,000 and raising the retirement age to 69.

Christie is expected to talk about the need to overhaul Medicaid, Medicare and disability insurance, in addition to Social Security in a speech in New Hampshire ahead of a likely 2016 run, reported The Wall Street Journal. He’ll argue he’s the right person to take on the sure political challenge.

“Washington is afraid to have an honest conversation about Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid with the people of our country,” Christie will say, according to prepared remarks obtained by the WSJ. “I am not.”

In Medicare, Christie will call for increasing the age when seniors qualify to 67 by 2040, and require seniors with higher incomes to pay more into the system. He’ll also call for Medicaid funding to be turned over to the states.

“This fairness must cover our hard-working taxpayers footing the bills today and must include reforming these programs to ensure their existence today and for future generations,” Christie will say.

The speech is part of three days of political events in the important primary state of New Hampshire, before he plans to return to New Jersey for a town hall meeting Thursday.

Christie’s approval ratings in New Jersey have suffered dramatically, in part because of concerns he is spending too much time out of the state preparing for a likely presidential run. (RELATED: Christie Enters TRUMP Territory In New Poll)

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