Martin Hoke: “Republicans have a simple three-step plan to give Medicare recipients the right to the same quality and choice that…”

“Republicans have a simple three-step plan to give Medicare recipients the right to the same quality and choice that their own children and grandchildren have. First, all senior citizens currently on Medicare must be allowed to remain on Medicare just exactly the way it is for as long as they want, if that is what they choose. Second, all seniors who want to join a health plan that covers more than today's Medicare, including routine physicals, prescription drugs, and eyeglasses, should have that right. Third, all seniors who want to set up a Medicare savings account that will pay for their health care needs and reward them for making healthy choices should be given that right as well. Mr. Speaker, today's seniors deserve the right to the best medical care system possible, and tomorrow's seniors deserve to know that the money that they have paid in Medicare taxes will also have been a sound investment, and, Mr. Speaker, according to the budget resolution all of this would be done with an increase in spending per beneficiary from $4,816 in 1995 to $6,734 in 2002. We are going to protect, preserve, and improve Medicare.”