Christopher Shays: “Well, first off, it is just important that we recognize that the program is growing significantly. The program is…”

“Well, first off, it is just important that we recognize that the program is growing significantly. The program is growing significantly, it is not being cut. On a per person basis, we are going to allow it to grow as it did last year from $4,800 to $7,000 per beneficiary. We did it without an increase in the copayment, without an increase in the deductibles, and without an increase in the premium. The premium will stay, except we did do something for the wealthiest. Those who make over $100,000 and are single will pay more in their premium. If they make over $150,000 and they are married, they will pay more in their premium. So we did say the very wealthy should pay more. It is not something that Democrats like to say that Republicans do, ask the wealthiest to pay more. Sometimes I have to say sometimes Republicans do not like to acknowledge that we are asking the wealthiest to pay more. But people who are receiving Medicare, it is the best buy in town. Those who can afford it should pay more, and we are asking the very wealthy to pay more. Now, what we are also doing is we are allowing for choice.”