George Voinovich: “I could not help but hear the words of Senator Wyden and Senator Domenici about the terrible situation we have across…”

“I could not help but hear the words of Senator Wyden and Senator Domenici about the terrible situation we have across this country today in regard to HMOs dropping senior citizens off the Medicare Plus Choice Program. While I was Governor of the State of Ohio, we had several instances where people were thrown off the rolls of their HMO and forced to be without any kind of supplemental insurance or prescription drug benefits. It is a growing epidemic today in the United States of America. I want to go on record in support of the legislation of Senator Wyden and Senator Domenici. In fact, earlier today I asked Senator Domenici if I could be a cosponsor of this legislation. It is important to point out that some of the on-budget surplus that we now have in the year 2000 and the projected $102 billion in 2001 is generated by the fact that projected Medicare costs are coming in far below what they anticipated because of the formula that was adopted in 1997. It seems to me we ought to look at the situation as it really is, increase the reimbursement to those HMOs so individuals can stay in those programs, and so they don't have to buy Medigap insurance to cover out-of-pocket expenses and prescription drugs. It seems to me it should be our responsibility to make sure those who are now covered remain covered and not be thrown out on the street.”