On the recordMarch 19, 2010
In this bill we have the other side says there's $500 billion that's going to be taken out of Medicare without one word of explanation how they're going to do it. They're going to take it to extend the life of Medicare. And they're going to count it to subsidize private insurance. Totally dishonest. Now I have here a memo from the Democratic Caucus, and just to quote in talking about this giddy CBO score that's supposed to show savings: Do not allow yourself to get into a discussion of details of CBO scores and textual narrative. Instead, focus only on the deficit reduction and number of Americans covered. Do not give them ground by debating details. For example, the March 11 letter has some estimates of discretionary cost not accounted in the total. Again, instead focus only on the deficit reduction and number of Americans covered. Finally, with regard to SGR, we know that that was carved out of this bill, $250 billion, so let's add that to the trillion that's not being accounted for, and I quote: "Most health staff are already aware that our health proposal does not contain a 'doc fix' . . . The inclusion of a full SGR repeal would undermine reform's budget neutrality. So, again, do not allow yourself . . . to get into a discussion of the details of CBO scores and textual narrative. Instead, focus only on the deficit reduction and number of Americans covered.
