WASHINGTON (AP) — Paul Ryan's blueprint for Medicare could prove as polarizing in the campaign as President Barack Obama's health care overhaul has been.

Even Mitt Romney may not want to go there.

Romney's new running mate has proposed a plan to steer future retirees into private insurance plans, with a fixed government payment. Ryan calls his idea "premium support." Democrats call it a voucher plan.

Economists say it could work, but the devil's in the details.

Ryan would also gradually raise Medicare's eligibility age from 65 to 67, and would turn Medicaid over to the states.

Romney has expressed broad support for Ryan's plan but hasn't weighed in on the specifics.

Seniors vote at high rates and care deeply about Medicare, so the issue could play a central role in the election.

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