ND Politicians React to Romney`s VP Choice | Video

Jessica Roose | 8/13/2012

Over the weekend, Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney announced that his running mate for Vice President will be Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. Once the decision was made, people on both sides of the political spectrum started weighing in on what they think Ryan can add to the Republican ticket.

"I like the boldness of the move. It certainly elevates the discussion from one of the platitudes and generalities of things like hope and change, to a substantive discussion of the future of this country," said Republican House Candidate Kevin Cramer.

A big part of that discussion is Ryan`s plan for the Medicare program. Democrats say he will replace the program with a more expensive voucher system. Cramer says the vouchers would only be an option and says it`s better than doing nothing.

"The democrat do nothing plan is a great plan if you die within the next twelve years. But if you plan to live beyond 2024 your in trouble."

That`s because, according to the trustees of the Medicare program, it will go broke by 2024 if nothing is done to save it.

Democratic House Candidate Pam Gulleson says the program can be fixed and part of the solution is taking a look at preventative care.

"When people put off healthcare you`re more likely to have to get heart attacks and to have strokes and the kind of things that are very very costly."

She says for that reason more of am emphasis needs to be placed on preventative screenings as well as teaching good nutrition and exercise. But she says a more short term cost savings plan would be to take a look at finding cheaper prescription drugs.

"I think we should open up the opportunity for us to import drugs from Canada. These are FDA approved drugs and it would bring competition to the market that I think is important."

She says if elected, she would introduce legislation to work on getting her plans started.

Cramer says a line needs to be drawn at a certain age and those older will receive Medicare as the program is today. Then he says a solution can be worked on for those who are younger to try and fix a program that is heading towards bankruptcy.

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