[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 45 (Tuesday, April 11, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H2019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 SENIOR HEALTH CHOICE PRESERVATION ACT

  (Mr. FOLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Seniors Health 
Choice Preservation Act. This bill will protect Medicare Choice HMOs 
from additional payment cuts. Furthermore, the bill will assist 
Medicare HMOs that cover prescription drugs so that they can continue 
to provide this important benefit.
  I believe we have a commitment to America's seniors to provide 
dependable health care through the Medicare program. I strongly 
supported giving seniors more options and flexibility when I voted for 
the Medicare Choice in the Balanced Budget Act.
  Empowering consumers to choose their care is the best way to improve 
quality and affordability in the health care system. Unfortunately, 
more than 700,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the Medicare Choice HMOs 
nationwide will have had their coverage either disrupted or 
discontinued over the past 2 years.
  In some Congressional districts, like mine, many seniors were forced 
to return to Fee for Service Medicare because there were no other 
options in their area. Even in areas that still have Medicare HMOs, 
seniors have been hit hard with increased out-of-pocket costs and 
reduced benefits.
  Seniors in my district love their HMOs. They get things like 
prescription drug coverage, dental care, and eye glass exams.
  At a time when HMOs are getting a bad rap in a lot of places, we want 
to keep our HMOs in Florida.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the Seniors Health Care 
Preservation Act.

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