RESPONSE TO JOHN MCCAIN ROBOCALL ON MEDICARE
ATTACK: “On Monday I introduced the first Republican amendment to the massive health care bill that will send the bill back to committee and stop the senate from cutting $500 million dollars in vital Medicare coverage for our seniors.”
ATTACK: “On Monday I introduced the first Republican amendment to the massive health care bill that will send the bill back to committee and stop the senate from cutting $500 million dollars in vital Medicare coverage for our seniors.”
RESPONSE: THE SENATE HEALTH CARE
REFORM BILL CUTS WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE OUT OF MEDICARE, IT WILL NOT CUT GUARANTEED MEDICARE BENEFITS.
“The legislation does not reduce any guaranteed Medicare benefits.” [AARP 12/2/2009] http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/leading-seniors-groups-strongly-oppose-mccain-medicare-hail-mary.php
"The legislation does not cut Medicare benefits," the letter reads. "With the expected rising costs of Medicare, the legislation slows the rate of the program's growth without reducing benefits. The McCain motion would actually undercut fiscally responsible attempts to meet the challenges of providing health care for older Americans." [Alliance for Retired Americans 12/2/2009] http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/leading-seniors-groups-strongly-oppose-mccain-medicare-hail-mary.php
“Much of the rhetoric from opponents of health care reform is intended to frighten our nation’s seniors by persuading them that Medicare will be cut and their benefits reduced so that they too will oppose this legislation. The fact is that H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, does not cut Medicare benefits; rather it includes provisions to ensure that seniors receive high-quality care and the best value for our Medicare dollars. This legislation makes important improvements to Medicare which are intended to manage costs by improving the delivery of care and to eliminate wasteful spending. The National Committee opposes any cuts to Medicare benefits. Protecting the Medicare program, along with Social Security, has been our key mission since out founding 25 years ago and remains our top priority today.” [Letter from the National Committee to Preserve Medicare and Social Security, 12/1/09]
Senate health insurance reform legislation refocuses Medicare funds on senior’s health, not insurance companies’ wealth. The health insurance reform legislation doesn’t cut any benefits for America’s seniors – it expands them. It gives every Medicare recipient at least one free, yearly physical with a primary care provider, which would include a personalized health improvement plan and information about Medicare-covered and recommended preventive screenings. The legislation will also make those preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force FREE for Medicare beneficiaries - things like mammograms, vaccinations, and other preventive services and screenings. [Chairman’s Mark, Senate Finance Committee, 9/16/09]
RESPONSE: MICHAEL BENNET INTRODUCED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD PROTECT GUARANTEED MEDICARE BENEFITS, AND REINVEST SOME OF THE COST SAVINGS FROM HEALTH CARE REFORM TOWARDS EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE MEDICARE TRUST FUND.
(a) PROTECTING GUARANTEED MEDICARE BENEFITS-- Nothing in this Act shall result in a reduction of guaranteed benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act.
(b) ENSURING THAT MEDICARE SAVINGS BENEFIT THE MEDICARE PROGRAM AND MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES-- Savings generated under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act under the provisions of and amendments made by this Act shall extend the solvency of the Medicare trust funds, reduce Medicare premiums and other cost-sharing for beneficiaries, and improve or expand guaranteed Medicare benefits and access to Medicare providers. [Michael Bennet: Amendment to Health Care Legislation] http://ats.senate.gov/amd.asp?Amd_Nr=2826
RESPONSE: HEALTH CARE REFORM WILL HELP SENIORS
Health care reform will improve the long term health of Medicare: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will establish a competitive system to reduce Medicare overpayments to private insurance companies, saving Medicare more than $100 billion over 10 years. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will also invest in fighting
waste, fraud and abuse. Together these proposals will extend the financial health of Medicare by 5 years. Not a penny of Medicare taxes or trust fund will be used for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. [DPC] http://dpc.senate.gov/healthreformbill/healthbill31.pdf
Health Care reform will provide low and middle-income seniors a 50# discount on drugs in the donut hole. More than 8 million seniors in 2007 hit the “donut
hole,” or gap in prescription drug coverage in Medicare Part D. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will provide low and middle-income seniors a 50 percent discount on brand-name drug and biologic prices in the donut hole. It will also shrink the gap by $500 per senior for 2010. [DPC] http://dpc.senate.gov/healthreformbill/healthbill31.pdf
Health care reform eliminate copayments for preventive care. Today, seniors must pay 20 percent of the cost of many preventive services. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will eliminate deductibles, copayments, and other cost-sharing for preventive care, and provide free annual wellness check-ups. [DPC] http://dpc.senate.gov/healthreformbill/healthbill31.pdf
Health care reform will prevent physician payment cuts. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will replace the 21 percent cut in Medicare payments to physicians scheduled to occur next year with a payment increase, so doctors may continue to serve Medicare beneficiaries. [DPC] http://dpc.senate.gov/healthreformbill/healthbill31.pdf
