Wis. Rep.'s Medicare Plan Worries Local Voters

JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) — Most voters in Rep. Paul Ryan's district in Wisconsin are familiar with his plan to scale back Medicare coverage for senior citizens. He has been talking about it for years as a way to keep the Medicare program solvent.

But the possible impact became more real to his friends and neighbors this week when House Republicans declared that they will make the Ryan plan an issue in the 2012 elections.

Some voters say they give Ryan credit for tackling the problem. But many also worry senior citizens might not be able to get needed medical treatment without full Medicare coverage. The issue has been the talk of the town, and opinion is divided.

The debate helps explain why most politicians, including presidential hopefuls, won't talk specifically about the plan.