Gus Bilirakis: “I want to stress that all Members were given the opportunity to share their suggestions on improving this legislation…”

“I want to stress that all Members were given the opportunity to share their suggestions on improving this legislation, and many of their interests were incorporated into the bill and the chairman's mark or by the amendment process. The Democratic process was allowed to work. Regarding Medicare, as a Member from a district that has a large number of seniors, I set as a major personal goal the protection of Medicare beneficiaries. And make no mistake about it, Medicare beneficiaries will be protected. In fact, our legislation contains many consumer protections that were not even considered by any of the prior Congresses. It addresses fraud and abuse within the Medicare program and ensures that the Medicare Trust Fund will remain solvent until the year 2008. The legislation contains many worthwhile policy changes which would greatly benefit the elderly. All Medicare beneficiaries will be given a choice of coverage through a new Medicare Plus program.”