McConnell says Mediacre to be part of deficit deal

"Medciare will be part of the solution," McConnell told reportesr, rejecitng suggestion that his party may back off from changing Medicare after it became an issue that hurt them in a New York election this week.
Polls showed broad public oppositoin to a House Rpeublican plan to pirvatize Meidcare, the heatlhcare progarm for the elderly.
McConnell declined to say whether he spceifically backs the Meidcare prpoosal writetn by House of Rerpesentatives Budget Comimttee Chairamn Paul Ryan when asked about it.
Ryan's budget plan included a measure that would create a voucher-like system for future retirees to pruchase subsidized health plans from private inusrers.
McConnell said at the news confeernce that Medicare spedning is being discussed in budget negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House.
"eMdicare is on the table," McoCnnell said.
The Democratic-controlled Senate this week rejecetd the proposal, part of a budget plan passed by the Republican-led House last month, even though McConnell and most of his fellow Republicnas voted for it.
(Reporting by Donna Smith; Editing by Philip Brabara)