[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 65 (Thursday, May 12, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H3230-H3231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MAJORITY'S PLAN FOR MEDICARE IS THE WRONG APPROACH
(Mrs. DAVIS of California asked and was given permission to address
the House for 1 minute.)
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, if the majority's plan for
Medicare ever becomes law, seniors will lose their guaranteed benefit
and get a private insurance voucher.
Seniors are calling. They are nervous and justified in asking all
sorts of questions about the plan, such as: Will the voucher cover me
if I get sick? Will the voucher result in rationed care? And will I
need to pay more out of pocket?
The Congressional Budget Office says seniors will pay more--much
more. Out-of-pocket costs to seniors will double in 2022 and rise by 68
percent by 2030.
This massive cost shifting saves the Federal Government a lot of
money. And where does all of the money taken from seniors and Medicare
go? Well, it doesn't pay off the debt. It doesn't create jobs or help
folks pay for gas or groceries. But it does go to finance large new tax
cuts for the most well-off.
[[Page H3231]]
This is the wrong approach to caring for our seniors.
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