[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MEDICARE IMPROVEMENTS FOR PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS ACT OF 2008

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                               speech of

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2008

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, Congress is once again forsaking an 
opportunity to begin addressing Medicare's long-term fiscal problems. 
Instead, the legislation before us today, while not without its merits, 
exacerbates the problems facing Medicare by giving new authority to the 
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), even though CMS's 
excessive power is a major reason why so many physicians and patients 
are dissatisfied with the current Medicare system.
  One clear indicator of the lack of seriousness with which this issue 
is being treated is the fact that this bill is coming before us on 
suspension, a procedure generally used for noncontroversial 
legislation, such as bills naming Post Offices. This significant 
Medicare legislation will receive only 40 minutes of debate, and 
members will have no opportunity to offer amendments.
  I certainly recognize the need to make adjustments in physicians' 
payments. Many physicians are already losing money treating Medicare 
patients, thanks to CMS's low reimbursements and the cost of having to 
comply with CMS's numerous rules and regulations. Unless Congress acts, 
many physicians will simply refuse to see Medicare patients. I think we 
all agree that driving physicians out of the Medicare program is not 
the proper way to reform the system.
  Therefore, if H.R. 6331 only contained the provisions dealing with 
the physicians' rate cut, I would vote for it. However, H.R. 6331 
further endangers Medicare's fiscal situation by giving almost $20 
billion in new funds to CMS, and giving CMS new regulatory authority.
  Instead of simply pretending we can delay the day of reckoning by 
giving CMS more money and power, we should be looking for ways to shore 
up Medicare by making cuts in other, lower priority programs, using 
those savings to ensure the short-term fiscal stability of Federal 
entitlement programs while transitioning to a more stable means of 
providing health care for senior citizens. I have been outspoken on the 
areas I believe should be subject to deep cuts in order to finance 
serious entitlement reform that protects those relying on these 
programs. I will not go into detail on these cuts, although I will 
observe that today the House Committee on Financial Services is 
planning to authorize billions of new foreign aid spending, perhaps 
some of those billions might be better spent reforming the Medicare 
system.
  Congress should also reform the Medicare system by providing Medicare 
patients more control over their health care than is available under 
either traditional Medicare or the Medicare Advantage program.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6331 may provide some short-term benefit to 
Medicare providers, however, it does so by further jeopardizing the 
long-term fiscal soundness of the Medicare program. Thus, passage of 
this bill will ultimately damage the very Medicare providers and 
patients the bill aims to help.

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