Pete Stark: “The bill we are moving today embodies basically the way Congress used to work, with the majority and minority working…”

“The bill we are moving today embodies basically the way Congress used to work, with the majority and minority working together to enact improvements to the Medicare program. On this bill, the Medicare Regulatory and Contracting Reform Act, both sides have worked closely with the administration, with providers, consumers groups and others. It has been a bipartisan, consultative process as it should be. In addition, Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to acknowledge the outstanding leadership and hard work of the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley). She brought this matter to the attention of Congress and has shepherded it along the way and has been an invaluable help in seeing this legislation be completed. The legislation contains important beneficiary provisions which I think are important to emphasize. We have established a beneficiary ombudsman program that will provide a voice for beneficiaries within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, now CMS, I still want to call it HCFA, but will enable that agency to better respond to and anticipate beneficiary needs.”