WALLY HERGER: “I strongly support increasing American energy production, but some of these incentives have outlived their usefulness.”

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.

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.

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

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.