Nancy L. Johnson: “Every woman gets a free physical under this bill, and for the first time they have an option for a plan that provides…”

But we need to do something better than the Senate position, and we certainly need to avoid the additional 2 percent cut that starts every year thereafter.

I would be happy to respond. Actuaries estimate things differently. The CMS actuaries estimate that 1.1 million won't sign up if we move the deadline. In other words, they will lose the pressure they have today to sign up by May 15 and the…

I absolutely do. I think we are facing the possibility of physicians fleeing the Medicare program and creating a real access problem for seniors to physicians of their choice. But acceding to the Senate position is not going to fix it; it…

I claim time to say we accept the amendment. It is a very thoughtful amendment and an important one, and we thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns).