WALLY HERGER: “The high cost of tax compliance means less money is available for small business to invest in job creation.”

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.

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.

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

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.