David Thomas: “I imagine some people watching this debate are a bit confused about what is going on. You need to understand the…”

“I imagine some people watching this debate are a bit confused about what is going on. You need to understand the underlying concern of our friends on the other side of the aisle. That is why they take the well and say someone who is no longer with us, he is passed, voted no in 1965. Or other people 30 years ago took a position. What about the people today? The Democrats really believe this is their issue and, if they do not demonize the fact that Republicans are out to destroy Medicare, they do not have a bumper sticker they have used for years. Let us not talk about the noes that occurred in 1965, let us talk about the noes that occurred in 1995. Let us talk about the noes that occurred in 1997, or the noes that occurred this year. The Democrats had 30 years to put prescription drugs in Medicare. Did they, no. Republicans are trying to put prescription drugs in Medicare. They will say anything to not let that happen because then, of course, Republicans are not trying to destroy Medicare. Their arguments are gone. This year in the bill that passed this House, we voted to give every senior who becomes Medicare eligible a physical. They voted no. We voted to provide screening and education and early treatment for diabetes so we do not have an increase in end-stage renal disease. They voted no. We voted to have osteoporosis screening. They voted no. We voted for more digital mammography. They voted no.”