Hillary Seeger: Revisiting all the responsibilities of the executive branch

To The Daily Sun, 

There seems to be some confusion surrounding claims that programs like Medicare and Medicaid can be shifted to the states by a president. That is not how our system of government works.

Medicare is a federal program established by Congress and funded through federal law. It is mandatory spending, meaning benefits must be paid to eligible individuals as required by statute. A president cannot simply stop funding Medicare or hand it off to the states. Any such change would require Congress to pass new legislation.

Federal law also limits a president’s ability to withhold or redirect funds that Congress has already approved. The executive branch is required to carry out the law, not rewrite it.

Medicaid, while a joint federal–state program, is still governed by federal law and heavily funded by the federal government. While policy changes can be proposed, shifting the full burden to states would also require congressional action.

For New Hampshire residents, this means Gov. Kelly Ayotte and the state Legislature do not need to implement a state income or sales tax to replace federal Medicare funding, because such a unilateral federal withdrawal cannot occur. While I know there are many who would like to see these taxes, this isn't how it works. (Same with Medicaid and Head Start).

Debate is important, but it should be grounded in facts about our laws actually function.

Hillary Seeger

Alexandria