[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 169 (Monday, November 16, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H12982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       WARNINGS FROM THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, lately we have heard 
from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services about the Pelosi 
health care reform measure. Their 31-page actuarial report, released 
over the weekend, reads that the bill would increase costs over the 
next 10 years by $289 billion.
  This is not a partisan report. It comes from the people who run the 
Medicare and Medicaid systems in the country. They warn that the 
provisions of the bill could lead to doctors and hospitals turning away 
Medicare patients.
  They warn that some 18 million Americans will choose to pay a much 
lower fine than buy expensive health insurance coverage, because when 
they get sick and truly need insurance, they can buy it, since they 
won't be turned down for preexisting conditions.
  They warn that a crush of new patients would shock the system.
  They warn that the plan to cut more than $500 billion from future 
Medicare spending would sharply reduce benefits for some seniors and 
could jeopardize access to care for millions of others.
  CMS should not have to issue warnings about the impact of a major 
piece of legislation that promises to change our entire system of 
health care and make it worse.

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