[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 25, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H1586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1345
           THE BIPARTISAN SENIORS HEALTH CARE BILL OF RIGHTS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shays). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, America's health care crisis affects 
millions of people, and I rise today on behalf of the 50,000 senior 
citizens on Long Island who have been kicked out of their Medicare 
HMOs.
  Just 3 years ago, seniors had choices in their medical care. In 
September of 1999, 12 HMOs offered seniors health plans in my district 
on Long Island. Now only two remain.
  In 1998 and 1999, 700,000 seniors across America were left without 
coverage when their HMOs decided not to renew their contracts.
  This year, HCFA reports that 65 Medicare HMOs did not renew their 
contracts, leaving an additional 160,000 senior citizens in America 
with no Medicare HMO option. This is intolerable.
  HMOs are choosing not to renew their 1-year contracts because of 
inadequate and unfair reimbursement rates. They are putting profits 
ahead of people. Health care should be a right, not a privilege. 
Ensuring Long Island seniors receive quality care is not a partisan 
issue; it is common sense. That is why I have been working with my 
Republican colleague from Long Island on a solution. Our plan, the 
Seniors' Health Care Bill of Rights, holds HMOs accountable and 
provides seniors the care they deserve. We will do this by providing 
carrots and sticks. Our Seniors' Health Care Bill of Rights includes 
three provisions: first, increase the reimbursement levels to keep HMOs 
operating in the senior market; second, our bill requires 3-year rather 
than 1-year contracts. Finally, our bill provides penalties for 
terminating senior coverage. If HMOs drop senior citizens in the middle 
of their contract year, they are going to be banned from the very 
lucrative Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  Mr. Speaker, I promised my constituents my very first piece of 
legislation would be this Seniors' Health Care Bill of Rights. This is 
only the beginning of the fight for senior health care. Now I ask my 
colleagues to join me in this fight.
  Our senior citizens are the people who built our neighborhoods and 
schools, paid their taxes, raised their families, and fought our wars. 
Now it is time to restore the health care choice, access, and quality 
that they deserve.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope that my colleagues will cosponsor the bipartisan 
Seniors' Health Care Bill of Rights.

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