Chenoweth Wants To Make Social Security Optional

U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth wants to allow Americans to opt out of Medicare and Social Security.

The change may take two generations to complete, Chenoweth reiterated Monday.

“America needs a transition and Americans are ready for the option,” she said.

Chenoweth talked about using a Social Security program in Chile as a model. It would allow individuals a choice of staying with the government pension program or taking part in a private investment company.

The private investment firm would be heavily regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and tax incentives might be put in place for those who take part, Chenoweth said.

She would like to pursue a similar optional plan for Medicare. The nation’s insurance program for the elderly faces serious financial problems at the same time a large population of baby boomers will be eligible for benefits.

“My feeling is that I would like to see people volunteer to opt out of Medicare,” she said.

“I think the American people have a bigger heart and a bigger desire to balance this budget and get us into a position where we can meet our obligations than most people give them credit for.”

And she said allowing people to leave Medicare would be a far better choice than applying an income test to determine who gets benefits, who pays more and who pays less.

Means testing was part of a 1995 Medicare plan endorsed by Chenoweth and House Republicans. The details are outlined in a House Republican Conference report.

But on Monday, she said means testing was “not something that I saw in the bill.”

Democratic challenger Dan Williams does not support means testing for Medicare recipients - at least not now. Nor does he want to see Social Security or Medicare become optional programs.

“It ruins both,” he said.

Williams also disagrees with Chenoweth’s call to abolish the U.S. Department of Energy, which oversees and funds the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory.

The INEL employs 8,000. Chenoweth said some responsibilities could be transferred to the Department of Transportation and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

She did not know what the consequences of doing away with the Energy Department would be for Gov. Phil Batt’s nuclear waste agreement.