Cliff Stearns: “this Congress has an unprecedented opportunity to give America's seniors an up-to-date Medicare system that includes…”

“this Congress has an unprecedented opportunity to give America's seniors an up-to-date Medicare system that includes more choices and better benefits like prescription drug coverage. Health care is being transformed by new drug therapies and active prevention. Yet in the current system, Medicare must pay for those treatments out of their own pocket or go without them. One third of the seniors on Medicare have no drug coverage at all, and that is about 900,000 American seniors. Our seniors should have choices so affordable health care plans compete for their business and at the same time give them the coverage that they need. Medicare recipients who are happy with their current benefits will be able to stay in the current system with an added prescription drug benefit. So our program is voluntary. Those who want enhanced services, like more coverage for preventative care, will have that choice; and seniors who like managed care plans will have that option as well. This is a plan we Republicans passed out of committee, and this is a plan we will pass very soon here in Congress.”