During his trip to Iowa, would-be presidential contender Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) issued a bold challenge to President Clinton: come up with your own plan to save the Medicare system.

As pathetic as this diversionary tactic may be, it does pose a valid question to the Clinton Administration. So far, his only response to the Republicans’ $270 billion in Medicare cuts has been to portray them as an attack on our nation’s elderly by wealthy interests.

Admittedly, he does have a case. The proposed cuts are strikingly similar to the amount of tax relief being offered to wealthy Americans in GOP budgetary plans.

However, pointing out this shameful reality is not enough. Clinton must articulate a sound alternative to Republican efforts to “save Medicare” via the budgetary axe.

First, he must vow to end the looting of the trust funds that began in the late 1960s. Since then, surpluses from these funds have been used to help fund the deficit, which further compromised the security of our entitlement system. Instead of billions in untimely tax cuts for the rich, budgetary proposals should include reinvestment of and protection for Medicare funds.

Also, Clinton must fight against across-the-board cuts that would imperil our nation’s most vulnerable seniors. As an alternative, he should offer a plan that would phase in means-testing of benefits for higher income retirees.

Equitable sharing of the burden to restore health care security for our elders must be Clinton’s battle cry. Otherwise, a growing number of our nation’s seniors may be forced to choose between health care or their next meal.