[shrinkermd]

"Kerry is being very specific, talking about the 17% increase in health-care costs, etc., which could be easily responded

The 17% increase in Medicare premiums for Part B (11$ per month)was not determined by the President. Long ago, the Congress and a President signed off on a law that permits the administrator of Medicare to increase premiums. I am not certain the President was even consulted. As far as I can determine not only does the administrator do this, but he or she must according to the law in order to keep some semblance of solvency for Medicare.

[hawaiian]

The 17% increase in Medicare premiums for Part B (11$ per month)was not determined by the President.

Exactly. But the president isn't answering this.