George Miller: “Sixty-seven percent of the Medicaid costs to go pay for elderly people's long-term care that their families cannot…”

“Sixty-seven percent of the Medicaid costs to go pay for elderly people's long-term care that their families cannot afford. And that is why we want this discussion. But we want this discussion in front of the Committee on Ways and Means where people can be cross-examined, where their points of view can be examined, their figures can be examined and the American public can then make a determination. Having all of this discussion, have all of this discussion prior to the Committee on Ways and Means hearing has nothing to do with this bill. We have examined the options for Medicare since 1948. But this is where the rubber hits the road. This may not cut Medicare, that is your claim, but it is going to certainly cut household income for people, and it is going to certainly cut their disposable income as their premiums continue to go up and the cost of their relatives continue to go up and the care of their parents continue to go up. That is what this debate is about.”