Political Quotes

“I support Medicare select and will vote for the conference report to extend this program to all 50 States. If it is properly structured, it can provide more competition, choice and cost savings. However I must tell my colleagues I am concerned that the study that was commissioned by HCFA shows that there might be increased costs associated with Medicare Select Programs in at least eight States which currently have the program. But what primarily concerns me: It seems like this Congress is acting or making decisions on what appears to be facts. When we look at the information we may be acting on what we believe to be correct rather than what the facts show. Congress is taking as fact that Medicare select extends managed care into the MediGap marketplace and it will save money. Yet when we look at the study, that may not be in fact the case unless the Medicare select program is properly structured. Are we going to make these decisions on fact or beliefs? There are very limited ways in which we can reduce the Medicare program by $270 billion.”