Paul Tonko

And the annual checkups. Don't forget those. And just undoing the requirement for copayment or deductibles for those screenings and annual checkups. There was this compassionate, reasonable, thoughtful approach to contain costs, provide…

In situations where we found recently--and there was an article in a major paper, The New York Times, that reported that there were CT chest scans done two times over at many locations where they were recovering those dollars through…

And I think it's probably what underlies the thinking of Americans out there, because when they were polled just recently with the poll that was shared with people today, there is overwhelming opposition to the GOP plan to end Medicare. So…

Exactly. And it's not just a savings to the government, but it's also a savings of $27 billion to individual seniors. So right there is an opportunity to provide for stability and to rein in costs within the Medicare program. But it takes…

And you know, you are so right. That preclusion that came in that measure was an outright avoidance of providing a benefit to the senior community. I know the number because we talked about it today in another session. It's $156 billion…

And if someone could at least rationalize the benefit of that program, if they could at least quantify good, societal good that comes with that sort of thinking. In recent history, twice over in recent history we've witnessed that relief…

Yes. Contrasted with the $165 billion that are yearly cuts to Medicare. So it's almost an equal swap. And we see that you need to end Medicare in order to provide for the wealthy tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires and handouts…

Not only do they talk about these choices over and above the senior community, but they've made it clear that their negotiations at the table begin and end with this destruction of Medicare while protecting subsidies for Big Oil and to…

This evening I will be joined by my colleague from California, Representative Garamendi. He and I will discuss for this next hour the issue that deals with a program that is tremendously popular in this country, that deals with our senior…

You point out the line in the sand drawn for 55 and over and 55 and under and that there is a different treatment. People would try to suggest, if you're 65, say, and you're qualifying for Medicare, if you go forward, the folks below 55…

A community for whom we have not done insurance writing. The actuarial science has not been applied. We've had 45 years of reprieve.

Right. If you'll suffer an interruption here and allow me to just share what, I think, both of us have talked about, people at home, because this is such a drastic proposal, can't believe that it's a real proposal. We have to remind people…

Exactly. We're saying as Democrats in the House and as Democrats on the Hill what must be on the table. We need to have on the table discussions about oil breaks, which trace their roots over a hundred years' worth of policy decisions. Tax…

What does grow jobs is strengthening purchasing power so that as the middle class of America, which is the engine that drives the economy, has the available cash to purchase things, to be out there and allow for the upper strata to have…

Thank you very much, Representative Garamendi. It has been a great opportunity to share this hour with you. We only ask that thoughtfulness guide the negotiations--either on a deficit ceiling bill or on budgets as we go…

And you know, Representative Garamendi, just about an hour ago we were talking about it all being about principles, values, priorities, contrasts, and choices. Well, if we go with the choice to not make it in America, not invest in…

Right. And where we saw overpayment for services provided, where there was unnecessary profit accrued in certain areas, we said enough is enough. The taxpayers shouldn't pay for adding to the profit column beyond reason for those private…

And talk about this sort of innovation economy where you invest in America, you make certain that our infrastructure that moves goods and people is as sound as it can be. But as we invest in the growth of jobs and ``Make it in America,''…

There are quantifiable benefits that come not just with job creation, but with service delivery. If you provide for this sort of basic research, you're providing for cures to illnesses that have continued to haunt the fabric and quality of…

And when you talk about battery manufacturing, advanced battery manufacturing taking place in my district, you're talking about the linchpin. You're talking about that connector to all of the opportunities out there that transition us into…

Absolutely. The currency issue is epicenter to the solution that's required. Fair trade is what really allows us to compete effectively. This imbalance that's been able to continue is very harmful to our economy, to the workers of this…

Absolutely. The 21st Congressional District of New York, in the capital region, Mohawk Valley of upstate New York, hosts the original infrastructure of the Erie and Barge Canals, the route that gave birth to a necklace of communities…

So you're saying that--to quote your dollar figure from earlier--if you're 54, 55 years old, save another $182,000 to cover your health care costs with the end to Medicare because the system has to pay oil subsidies to the historically…

We are some 3 years into the worst recession since the Great Depression. I have heard repeated claims that these are times that call for courageous leadership and bold decisions. Well, there certainly has been no lack of audacity during…

I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule on this historic day in the 112th Congress. Six months. That's it. Six months. It took less than 6 months for the Republican majority to come…