[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 159 (Thursday, October 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  HEALTH CARE AND OUR NATION'S SENIORS

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                           HON. ADRIAN SMITH

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 29, 2009

  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, as we consider health care 
reform, we have a responsibility to protect the best interests of our 
nation's seniors and ensure we do not harm the health care they already 
receive.
  Included in the current government takeover of health care are 
massive cuts to Medicare Advantage which will result in a loss of 
health care for millions of seniors.
  For seniors living on fixed incomes, the prospect of being forced to 
pay more for health care is truly frightening.
  But the Congressional Budget Office has reported the Democrat plan 
will increase seniors' Medicare prescription drug premiums by 20 
percent over the next decade.
  Medicare finances are rapidly deteriorating and we should be working 
on real solutions which ensure the long-term financial stability of 
Medicare.
  Madam Speaker, a government-run health care system is not the answer 
to our health care problems, and it certainly is not the answer when it 
is paid for on the backs of our nation's seniors.

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