WALLY HERGER: “We cannot wish it away or ignore it, as some have chosen to do, or demagogue it away.”

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.

While I believe that market approaches hold great promise for improving the situation, my intent is to use the information we learn from this hearing as a starting point for further assessment of the consolidation issue.

Doesn't this break the President's pledge?

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.