Sanford Bishop: “although the massive conference agreement over Medicare reform contains some of the provisions the country needs and…”

“although the massive conference agreement over Medicare reform contains some of the provisions the country needs and that I support, the overall legislation is deeply flawed. Congress can do better. By voting against the agreement, I am calling on Congress to correct the flawed provisions that would deny many seniors any prescription drug benefit, increase health care costs for many lower income citizens, push many seniors into managed care, put employer-based prescription drug coverage at greater risk, and create an uncertain privatization process that could change the face of Medicare forever. By voting down this proposal, we could fix the critical flaws and still have time to enact a sound Medicare reform bill that the country desperately needs before the end of the 2003 session. I am cosponsoring a bill introduced Friday (11/21) that would shore up rural providers and maintain the integrity of Medicare for rural communities, while putting aside the more rancorous issues until later. I urge its consideration. Among the agreement's provisions that I strongly support are those that would provide realistic reimbursements to providers, including giving rural hospitals parity with urban hospitals. Many community hospitals have shut down, and many are struggling to survive. This puts the health of many of our rural citizens, and the vitality of many rural communities, at risk.”