[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Pages 25797-25798]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              HEALTH CARE

  (Mr. REICHERT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)

[[Page 25798]]


  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, so much is at stake, and the well-being of 
Americans is on the line. And it's clear that we need health care 
reform, but that reform must protect and strengthen the health care of 
all Americans.
  The current overhaul bill would make $500 billion in cuts to 
Medicare, $156 billion in cuts to Medicare health plans and would 
affect 14 million Americans across this Nation. This is not the kind of 
reform we need.
  Also, Mr. Speaker and seniors, pay close attention to this: There is 
an unusual advocate for these massive cuts to seniors' health care. 
It's AARP, who receives nearly 40 percent of its revenue from selling 
health insurance products. Why would AARP support a bill cutting 
benefits for its members? Are they truly looking out for the best 
interests of seniors? Could it be that AARP has a hidden profit agenda?
  This morning's Washington Post explores this issue in an article 
entitled, AARP: Reform Advocate and Insurance Salesman. I urge people 
to read it. I do believe there is a conflict of interest here, Mr. 
Speaker, and I will continue asking the questions necessary to ensure 
we protect our seniors' health care.

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