Vito Fossella: “Mr. Addison Good is an 80 year-old retired cook from Staten Island. He survives on a very limited income of Social…”

“Mr. Addison Good is an 80 year-old retired cook from Staten Island. He survives on a very limited income of Social Security and a small pension. Through every step of his hip operations, his Medicare Advantage plan paid for the services and drugs that he needed. He switched to a new plan that provides even better benefits at lower cost. He says he does not know how he would get the care he needs without his Medicare Advantage. Let me say up front, we will consider Mr. Addison Good as we consider the legislation; and I support the SCHIP program, I support its reauthorization, I support expanding access to health care for low-income children. I do not support this ill-conceived plan that pits parents against their grandchildren. Make no mistake, the bill cuts Medicare by more than $190 billion. In my district alone, it will reduce funds for Medicare Advantage by $58 million for the 38,000 enrollees in just the first year. The real-world impact of slashing $58 million in Medicare in Staten Island, Brooklyn, for seniors enrolled in this program could result in the following: either denied access to the program altogether, to lose health care benefits like hearing, vision and dental services or have to pay more out of pocket. We should not gut Medicare or punish seniors to achieve a Democratic goal.”