[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 42 (Saturday, March 20, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H1748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

  (Mr. KLEIN of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, from the beginning of the debate 
of health care reform, my top priority has been clear: strengthen and 
protect Medicare for our seniors, like Bunny Steinman in my district.
  I believe that the doctor-patient relationship is absolutely 
essential, especially for our seniors. No one, not the government or 
private insurance, should stand between a patient and the doctor of 
their choice.
  When I talk to seniors in my district, many of them tell me that 
struggling to cover the costs of prescription drugs--especially if they 
have fallen into the part D drug doughnut hole--is a real problem for 
them, and that is why I took the lead in working with AARP to make sure 
health care reform, this bill, closes the doughnut hole for good. 
Seniors will see immediate relief on prescription drug prices--a $250 
rebate next year and thousands more in savings in the years ahead.
  We have won this fight. This reform will close the doughnut hole and 
save seniors money. There will be other benefits for seniors such as 
preventative care, like cancer screenings will now be free--no copays, 
no deductible. We owe it to our seniors. They paid into the Medicare 
trust fund. Taking care of our seniors is one of our top priorities. 
Benefits like these are critical to our senior population in south 
Florida, my district, and around the country.
  I urge support of the bill.

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