[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE 2014 MEDICARE TRUSTEES REPORT

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this week, the Medicare 
Trustees' report projected that the Medicare Hospital Trust Fund would 
remain solvent until 2030, four years beyond last year's projection and 
13 years longer than was projected in 2009.
  In the 50 months since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, 
health care costs have risen at a slower rate than any comparable 
period in the last 50 years.
  And per capita spending is projected to continue to grow slower than 
the overall economy during the coming years.
  This is in part due to the reforms implemented in the Affordable Care 
Act.
  We have made progress in reducing hospital readmissions, improving 
patient safety and transitioning to new payment models that reward 
quality and reduce costs.
  Thanks to these important steps, the quality of care for Medicare 
beneficiaries has improved, along with the long-term solvency of 
Medicare.
  For the second year in a row Medicare Part B premiums will not grow, 
meaning that seniors will be able to keep more of their annual Social 
Security COLA.
  The ACA has also saved America's seniors over $11.5 billion in 
prescription drug costs by improving drug benefits and closing the 
``donut hole.''
  I am proud to have played a significant role in the authorship of ACA 
and hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will come together 
and look for ways to further improve ACA and Medicare.
  Now is the time to build on these successes and ensure all Americans 
have access to quality affordable care and that our health care system 
remains on a path to fiscal solvency.

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