[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 138 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  MEDICARE ANTI-DUPLICATION AMENDMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK LAZIO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 1998

  Mr. LAZIO of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation that would correct an unintended result of the Medicare 
anti-duplication statute. This very narrow legislative change would 
allow chronically ill New York residents to take control of their own 
lives by guaranteeing them access to a variety of health care options 
in New York State at lower prices.
  A combination of Federal and state laws have unintentionally ``locked 
in'' about 400 Medicare-eligible, disabled New Yorkers into an 
expensive, fee-for-service health plan. They cannot leave the plan 
because they require needed medical coverage and, because of Federal 
laws, they actually are prohibited from changing plans. They literally 
are trapped in a health plan and my legislation allows them to leave 
the expensive policy and give them the quality health care they want at 
the prices they can afford.
  This legislation is predicted not to cost anything and actually could 
save Federal dollars. By allowing disabled citizens to purchase private 
insurance with their own money, this legislation ensures that these 
citizens will have access to the benefits that will keep them healthier 
longer. The longer these individuals stay healthy, the longer they will 
be able to avoid using hospitalization covered by Medicare. This will 
save the taxpayer money. Also, by allowing them to purchase less 
expensive insurance, they will not be forced to ``spend down'' their 
resources in order to qualify for Medicaid.
  If this proposal becomes law, these New Yorkers will be free to 
choose from more than 30 state-mandated managed care or point of 
service plans. Wherever they choose to go, they will be guaranteed 
identical benefits to the ones they currently have at much cheaper 
costs.
  This initiative is strongly supported in New York by the New York 
State Department of Insurance, the Long Island Breast Cancer Action 
Coalition (1 in 9), the National Alliance of Breast Cancer 
Organizations, Gay Men's Health Crisis, Medicare Rights Center, and New 
Yorkers for Accessible Health Coverage, among many others. These are 
the consumer groups that represent the individuals locked into the fee-
for-service plan and each fully supports giving consumers options and 
lowering their health care costs.
  Americans should be able to choose their health care. We should give 
them the tools they need to stay independent for as long as possible 
and give them access to affordable, quality health care. This will 
allow them to have more money to buy other important things and keep 
them in control of their lives and their future. They will worry less 
about whether they can afford their health insurance premiums and give 
them the financial security to take care of their families. I urge all 
my colleagues to support this legislation because it will provide 
health care security to these individuals who need it the most.

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