Hoekstra, Stabenow spar over Medicare

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Republican challenger Pete Hoekstra are accusing each other of supporting policies that would undermine the Medicare program.

Stabenow began running a statewide television ad Monday that says Hoekstra favors a plan that would boost health care premiums for seniors by $6,400 a year. It's a reference to the budget proposal crafted by GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan.

The Hoekstra campaign also released a Medicare commercial that says Stabenow voted to cut Medicare by supporting President Barack Obama's health care plan, which would reduce future payments to health care providers. Stabenow says the plan would help keep Medicare solvent.

The back-and-forth over the popular program mirrors a debate on the issue between President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.