[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 87 (Friday, June 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  INTRODUCTION OF MEDICARE REFORM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. LEE TERRY

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2003

  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to introduce the Medicare 
Reform Act. Along with the original cosponsors of the bill, 
Representative Tom Tancredo, Representative Marilyn Musgrave, 
Representative Pete Sessions, Representative William Jenkins, and 
Representative Don Manzullo, I believe that this proposal can improve 
Medicare and preserve it for the future.
  Our current system is a patchwork program governed by tens of 
thousands of pages of rigid rules, regulations, guidelines and 
administrative decisions and the current system is filled with 
inefficiencies and waste. While Medicare will cover medicine for a 
patient who receives an injection at a doctor's office, it will not 
provide the same coverage to a patient who chooses to save Medicare 
doctors' fees by administering the same injection at home.
  Medicare will pay for a kidney transplant--but not for anti-rejection 
drugs for the new kidney. If you stop taking medication because of the 
cost, Medicare will pay for a second kidney transplant.
  Medicare covers the costs of home visits by occupational therapists 
and physical therapists but not respiratory therapists. The patient 
must come to the hospital or doctor's office--more expensive options.
  In 2002, improper payments in the Medicare program were estimated at 
$13.3 billion. Of that amount, $7 billion was for services the 
government later deemed medically unnecessary.
  I have authored the Medicare Reform Act of 2003, legislation that 
would reshape Medicare to closely resemble the health care system for 
federal employees. The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program 
provides high-quality health benefits to 8.6 million federal employees 
and retirees, including Members of Congress, in all 50 states. It is a 
typical employee health plan, except employees have a choice--they 
receive a guidebook describing their coverage options and choose the 
option that best meets their needs.
  I want to give Medicare beneficiaries the same options.
  By providing senior citizens and disabled individuals with the same 
health care benefits Members of Congress enjoy, my bill would improve 
preventive care and treatment of disease. It would provide modern 
insurance benefits, such as preventive and maintenance care for chronic 
conditions. And as in all private plans, a modern prescription drug 
benefit is an inherent part of this policy.
  The health care plan for federal employees has demonstrated success 
in rural areas. 98 percent of rural counties offer at least three 
plans, and 87 percent offer six or more choices. My bill would create 
insurance parity through Medicare, by offering identical insurance 
options to beneficiaries in urban and rural areas on a state-by-state 
basis.
  Finally, my bill would recognize the difference between poor and 
middle class seniors, and those in the highest income brackets, since 
premiums would be based on level of income. My proposal would pay the 
entire premium for senior citizens earning up to $17,952 for singles 
and $24,288 for couples (200 percent of the poverty level). Above that 
level, the premium paid would decrease by ten percent for each 
additional 100 percent over the poverty level. For senior citizens 
earning over $71,809 for singles and over $101,153 for couples (800 
percent of the poverty level), the program would pay 30 percent of 
their premiums.
  Income sensitive premiums, competitive plans, better cost control and 
preventative care will ensure that Medicare's price tag is kept low. In 
this way, we can assure Medicare will evolve with the times and be 
solvent for the future.
  Government cannot prevent Americans from growing older. But we can 
help senior citizens enjoy higher quality of life, while providing the 
retirees of tomorrow with a sound Medicare program that will still 
exist for them, too.

                          ____________________