Frank Pallone: “Again, we sort of touched on this again, but I just think it is important to stress that once again the Republicans are…”

“Again, we sort of touched on this again, but I just think it is important to stress that once again the Republicans are talking, leadership is talking right now this year about proposals for Medicare that would cost seniors a lot more out of pocket. I think a lot of people believe that because they have not heard about the increase in the Medicare part B premium. Last year that was the crying call because so many seniors knew that the Republicans had proposed these big increases in part B premiums that they would have to pay per month. This year with the balanced billing provisions and with the level of cuts in Medicare, we will end up paying a lot more out of pocket. I think the figure right now is that under current law the physician can only charge patients up to 15 percent above what the fees are that Medicare sets. But if you stay in a traditional Medicare, under the current Republican plan that is on the floor now, that figure is unlimited. In addition, I know that the gentlewoman has pointed out previous times on the floor that with the cuts in the level of services that would come from this level of cuts in Medicare, we are going to see tremendous increases in Medigap insurance because Medigap is going to have to cover more because of the lack of funding available for Medicare. So seniors would be faced with these overcharges by the physicians, higher Medigap premiums, and the list goes on.”