WALLY HERGER

The issue of consolidation warrants this subcommittee's attention as all health care cost drivers need to be closely examined, especially in this challenging economic and budget environment.

These cuts will significantly alter the program and jeopardize seniors' access to the health plans they rely on.

Unfortunately, the Democrats' health law slashed payments to the Medicare Advantage program by more than $300 billion over the next 10 years to fund ObamaCare.

Understanding the successful structure of the current MA program, and the challenges the program will face because of the Democrats' health law, is key to ensuring Medicare meets the needs of seniors now and into the future.

I believe the Trans-Pacific Partnership is an important vehicle for expanding U.S. services trade.

I am very disappointed with the lack of leadership and interest in this issue at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

It is puzzling why CMS has not taken commonsense steps to protect Medicare beneficiaries from preventable identity theft by removing Social Security numbers from their Medicare cards.

the President has repeatedly stated that he would not raise taxes for individuals earning less than $200,000 and married couples earning less than $250,000.

This highlights a concern I have. The President and congressional Democrats clearly went out of their way during the legislative debate to hide the fact that this is a tax.

Doesn't this break the President's pledge?

Given the current fiscal issues facing the Medicare program, it is critical that the Committee ensures that taxpayer and beneficiary dollars are being spent appropriately.

I appreciate the commission's work to figure out which approaches can improve the coordination of care in our too often fragmented health care system.

Considering the extent of the fiscal challenges facing the Medicare program as well as our country, it is essential that Congress consider all available options.

I strongly believe in the competitive forces of the private market, the process by which the competition is conducted must be fair.

Congress established the competitive bidding program in light of evidence that the Medicare fee schedule payments far exceeded retail rates, leaving the DMEPOS benefit prone to waste, fraud, and abuse.

The premium support model holds promise to place Medicare on sound financial footing while transforming and modernizing the program.

Unfortunately, the program faces significant financial challenges and is slated to go bankrupt in 2024.

The American public recognizes that today's Medicare program faces significant financial challenges.

The Medicare program is in dire need of reform and improvement so that it meets the health care needs of its beneficiaries in the 21st century.

In order to protect the Medicare program for future beneficiaries, Congress must look beyond simply slashing Medicare provider reimbursements.

Unless Congress acts, the Medicare program that seniors and people with disabilities rely on will go bankrupt in just a few short years.

The trust fund is going bankrupt in 2024.

Maintaining incentives for charitable giving is especially important in tough economic times.

The ethanol blenders tax credit, I feel, is a wasteful subsidy that distorts the economy.