"Its mission is to gain some much-needed efficiency within the system for this group of beneficiaries."
"In total, there are 9.2 million Americans who rely on both Medicare and Medicaid."
"In fact, in 2007, they comprised only 15 percent of enrollees but represented 39 percent of Medicaid spending."
"I really welcome today's hearing on a critical issue: the coordinating and improving of health care of those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid programs."
"In Medicare, we have always maintained the principle that enrollment in managed care plans is voluntary for all Medicare beneficiaries."
"I support efforts to get duals into better care relationships but we need to be careful not to take away Medicare protections for the lowest income Medicare beneficiaries."
"Obviously I would prefer that they not be in nursing homes."
"Allowing Americans to purchase insurance coverage across state lines is not a new idea."
"If H.R. 371 were enacted, it would completely dismantle New Jersey's existing risk pool."
"Now I don't think we can move back to a system with zero patient protections, putting insurance companies back in charge."
"The only choices offered by this proposal are for insurance companies. They are the only ones who gain."