WSJ: McCain to Cut Medicaid / Medicare

In a surprising article published in today's Wall Street Journal, reporter Laura Meckler informs us that Senator McCain's health care program would be funded, in part, by cutting Medicaid and Medicare--programs that aid senior citizens, the disabled, and poverty-stricken. What cuts might he make? The McCain campaign won't give details:

The Republican presidential nominee has said little about the proposed cuts, but they are needed to keep his health-care plan "budget neutral," as he has promised. The McCain campaign hasn't given a specific figure for the cuts, but didn't dispute [independent] analysts' estimate.

In the months since Sen. McCain introduced his health plan, statements made by his campaign have implied that the new tax credits he is proposing to help Americans buy health insurance would be paid for with other tax increases.

But Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Sen. McCain's senior policy adviser, said Sunday that the campaign has always planned to fund the tax credits, in part, with savings from Medicare and Medicaid.

While it would certainly be useful to eliminate Medicare/Medicaid fraud, which would free up a significant amount of money, perhaps the Senator can elaborate on how he intends to free up the money from these programs? Chances are we'll see this mentioned in tomorrow's town hall debate. Let's hope he comes up with some specifics.