[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 25776]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              HEALTH CARE

  (Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, this morning I find myself 
reflecting on a recent town hall meeting where nearly 1,000 people 
showed up, many of them seniors, and they were not happy. In eastern 
Washington in my congressional district, it is estimated that 20,000 
seniors may lose their health care because of the cuts to Medicare 
Advantage. H.R. 3200 cuts $162 billion from that program, and they are 
cuts that hit especially those who live in rural communities the 
hardest.
  The Obama administration promised Americans that if they liked their 
doctor, they could keep their doctor; if they liked their health 
insurance plan, they could keep it. But I guess that doesn't apply to 
seniors.
  These are real cuts to Medicare Advantage, and it will mean canceled 
insurance policies and higher premiums. For those living on a fixed 
income, this could mean less money for food, clothing, and shelter.
  House Republicans are committed to a step-by-step approach to 
addressing health care that will start by reducing the cost drivers. We 
should pass these cost control reforms rather than financing a 
government takeover on our Seniors.

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