Phil Gingrey: “Mr. Speaker, back in 1988, we were not here. We just got here as freshmen. But I do remember when there was some attempt…”

“Mr. Speaker, back in 1988, we were not here. We just got here as freshmen. But I do remember when there was some attempt to include catastrophic coverage under Medicare. I think that was an important thing to look at. But the mistake that Congress made at that time is they passed a law that included, for the first time, catastrophic coverage. But there was no choice. All seniors had to have that coverage. Their Part B, Medicare Part B premiums just went through the roof. And there was much, much concern about that. We learn lessons. This program, this Medicare modernization and prescription drug program, is all about choice. It is all about choice. In fact, a senior, and I am sure some will, will decide to stay in traditional Medicare, something they have been used to; maybe they turned 65 20 years ago and they just do not want to go to the trouble, if you will, and get out of their comfort zone. They may decide not to even take the prescription drug benefit. Certainly they can; they have that option, as well as the option to remain in the Medicare fee-for-service, the traditional Medicare program. But as the gentleman points out, and I am so glad he asked the question, it is all about choice.”