Politifact calls the above ad a lie:
Both Republicans and Democrats would no doubt agree that Ryan’s plan for Medicare is a dramatic change of course. But we don’t agree with the ad’s contention that the proposal ends Medicare. Additionally, images in the ad imply that current seniors will have to go back to work to pay for changes to the program. That’s not true either. It’s actually those 54 and younger who will need extra money. With its scenes of seniors going back to work, it seems intended to frighten those who are currently enrolled in Medicare. Finally, the Republicans' vote was symbolic and didn’t actually change the program. When you add up all those distortions, we find the ad highly misleading.
Josh Marshall dissents:
Politifact's argument is that since there will still be a program and that it will be labeled "Medicare" that, heck, it can't have ended since it's still there. That may sound too credulous. But it's about that bad. If my memory serves — and perhaps someone can find the link for me — Politifact was similarly bamboozled by President Bush's efforts to partially phase out Social Security.
I agree with Josh's view that it is fair to say that Ryan would abolish Medicare as we have known it. He would. Converting a universal entitlement to a subsidy for a relative, means-tested few is the end of Medicare. And a vote is not "symbolic" if it is an actual vote on a proposed budget. It was not some kind of vague resolution. But Politifact is right about the scare tactics on current seniors or the over 54s. Alas.
The Dish 