Bill Pascrell: “I really suggest that the other side go to see the movie, it is an old movie, ``Thelma and Louise.'' Thelma turns to…”

“I really suggest that the other side go to see the movie, it is an old movie, ``Thelma and Louise.'' Thelma turns to Louise and says, ``Do not settle, Louise.'' You have settled. You blew it. In fact, the seniors already are angry. The plan does not even go into effect until 2006. Why are they angry? They are angry because this is a question of values. Just when you need it most, the plan ends. The second reason why they are angry is you are going to force them into HMOs. Look what happened in New Jersey on Medicare+Choice. Now you are going to call it Medicare plus advantage. Bill Safire would have a picnic on this. This is a joke and a sham, and you know it. Look at that record that you have provided, that we provided, all of us in the State of New Jersey, where they lost 100,000 people. What we are going to do, as the gentleman from Pennsylvania said just a few moments ago, is subsidize insurance plans. That is what we are going to do. The third reason why they are ticked off is that there is no control over prices. Boy, are they angry. You blew it.”