NORTH CANTON, Ohio (AP) — Mitt Romney's campaign is staying on the offensive in the increasingly heated debate over the future of Medicare.

Speaking in Ohio today, Romney's running mate, Paul Ryan, said the battle over Medicare is "a debate we want to have" and "a debate we're going to win."

His selection last week drew immediate attention to a budget proposal he drafted that would turn Medicare into a voucher-like system for future retirees. Republicans, in turn, called attention to President Barack Obama's health care law, which is funded in part by future savings from Medicare.

Ryan told supporters today that when Obama brought up the Medicare issue yesterday, he didn't mention that he "raided $716 billion from Medicare to pay for Obamacare."

But Ryan isn't mentioning that his own budget proposal includes the same savings, which are supposed to be realized through lower payments to hospitals and doctors and by making the program more efficient.

Romney has said he would restore the Medicare cuts.

Obama argues that the changes that he has made in Medicare, including helping seniors pay less for drugs and reducing wasteful spending, will make the program stronger financially. He says the Republican proposal "ends Medicare as we know it."

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027-w-35-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent, with President Obama)--President Obama is battling back against Mitt Romney's charges that he's been raiding funds from Medicare. AP White House Correspondent Mark Smith reports. (16 Aug 2012)

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173-a-06-(Congressman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., Republican vice presidential candidate, at campaign rally)-"we're gonna win"-Republican vice presidential candidate, Congressman Paul Ryan says he's happy to discuss his plan to overhaul Medicare. (16 Aug 2012)

<<CUT *173 (08/16/12)>> 00:06 "we're gonna win"

APPHOTO NCCHN202: ADDS WHERE PHOTO WAS MADE -- Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney leaves a fundraiser in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday Aug. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/The Charlotte Observer, Todd Sumlin) (15 Aug 2012)

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APPHOTO ILJG102: President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama board Air Force One at Quad Cities International Airport, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, in Moline, Ill. (AP Photo/John Gaines) (15 Aug 2012)

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APPHOTO OHTU103: Vice Presidential candidate Rep Paul Ryan, R-Wis., talks to supporters at a rally on the campus of Miami University in Oxford Ohio, Wednesday Aug. 15, 2012. Rep. Rob Portman listens to his left. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman) (15 Aug 2012)

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