South Dakota Rep. Kristi Noem says changes like those proposed by congressional Republicans are needed to save Medicare.
In a telephone press conference with South Dakota reporters Thursday, the Republican congresswoman said people in the state recognize that Medicare is going broke. She says South Dakotans know that if Congress does not fix the program, Medicare will not be around in the future.
The budget passed last month by House Republicans would replace Medicare with a government payment to buy private insurance. It would not change the program for people already 55 and older.
Noem says if changes are not made within the next few years, there will be no way to fix Medicare without also changing it for people already 55 and older.