[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 14, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H701-H702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

  (Ms. BUERKLE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. BUERKLE. Mr. Speaker, the President assured American seniors that 
under his health care package, their insurance plans would not be 
affected and that they would have the same health care choices as 
before the law.
  Sadly, Mr. Speaker, this is not the case. The President's health care 
law

[[Page H702]]

makes drastic cuts to the popular Medicare Advantage program of more 
than $136 billion. With these cuts, Mr. Speaker, Medicare Advantage 
plans will be forced to make significant adjustments, including 
reductions in what they cover. Those reductions will limit seniors' 
ability to choose the Medicare plan that best suits them.
  It is important to note, Mr. Speaker, that the cuts will hit low-
income seniors and the disabled with disproportionate cuts. About 70 
percent of the cuts will be imposed on those with incomes below $32,400 
per year.
  The President's cuts will give the 120,000 seniors in my district who 
choose Medicare Advantage few choices and increased costs. Mr. Speaker, 
I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to work with me to 
protect Medicare Advantage.

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