Political Quotes

“Indeed, it is. It has passed the House of Representatives twice--not once but twice. So this is not just some idea floating in the ethereal. This is a real proposal that is sitting in the Senate. Fortunately, it's going nowhere there, but these kinds of programs are there. The other program--and we've talked around this issue--is just a flat-out assault on the benefits. We're going to cut out drugs. We're going to cut out one or another of the benefits that are in Medicare. The package of benefits in Medicare is designed to provide a continuity of care so that something that is common is going to get covered-- hospitalization, a doctor's care, and now, with the Affordable Care Act, annual visits to the doctor. It's very, very important. Let me be clear that, as Democrats, we understand the necessity of reducing the cost of Medicare. We understand that. In fact, we have done it. The Democrats have done it. We have taken action to reduce the cost of Medicare and to simultaneously maintain the benefits and improve the benefits to seniors. {time} 2100 That is what we have done, and we'll continue to do it. Things I talked about at the very outset are very real. We can take additional steps. We can do more.…”