Todd Tiahrt: “If we can wrap this up this evening, I would like to say in plain English, we finally have a specific plan that will…”

“If we can wrap this up this evening, I would like to say in plain English, we finally have a specific plan that will preserve and protect Medicare for our parents and our grandparents. It is a realistic plan, it is up front, there is no fine print. It allows the right to select alternative options, the right to stay with your current doctor, your current hospital. It attacks waste, fraud and abuse. There is real accountability for physicians. It is a long-term solution, and Medicare is guaranteed to survive. This is not just politics as usual. This is a real plan that is going to work. I want to thank those who participated tonight, the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Weldon, the two gentlemen from Georgia, Mr. Norwood and Mr. Chambliss, and also the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Greenwood. I think this has been very enlightening for the American public as we have come to a conclusion here, refuting all the arguments that you heard in the first hour. We have a good plan, and we are going forward with it. I thank the American public for the time.”