Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, if I might on our side conclude the debate, I would say this is an important consumer protection effort. As we go down the road of Medicare select, going from 15 States to 50, I worry about what it is going to mean for consumers who may well be taken advantage of by insurance companies that will be able to raise their rates after they get older and, more likely, sick. I agree that it would be viable for us to do this for all Medigap policies, and I hope at some point we will be able to reach all Medigap policies. But this is what is before us now and it would be improper under the rules and nongermane to offer an amendment to all Medigap policies. But when we come to the closed panel and the fact that consumers will want a choice beyond that, this is the appropriate place and I think it is appropriate to do what Democrats and Republicans recommended out of the Committee on Commerce, and to put that 5-year sunset in place. This amendment is supported by the Consumers Union, which has played a very active role in advising people about the dangers for consumers, that consumers can be taken advantage of.”