On the recordMarch 21, 2012
I thank the chairman for his leadership in this area. I thank you for yielding. I find it fascinating as I listen to the debate that even while discussion is going on on the budget, we're hearing accusations that say Republicans want to end Medicare. In reality, 2 years ago when the national health care bill passed, that ended Medicare as we know it. That cut half a trillion dollars out of Medicare spending. That put in place this unelected group of bureaucrats that will make health care decisions for seniors. And I hear this afternoon suggestions that say, well, it may not even go in effect for 10 years; let's wait and see. Well, we have a saying in Mississippi: Do you know when is the best time to kill a snake? That's the first time you see it. This IPAB is a snake, and the best time to kill it is today. The club and the vehicle by which we'll kill it is this bill, and that's why I'm going to vote for it, and I urge all of my colleagues to do the same.
