Political Quotes

“What is it about Republicans and Medicare? There is always some Rube-Goldberg idea they have to change the public health system that has lifted millions of Americans out of poverty for the last 38 years, that has helped America's elderly live longer lives and healthier lives? Republicans always want to try some experiment, some Rube-Goldberg plan. They tried means testing. They could not get that through the Congress. They tried to raise up eligibility age. They could not get that through the Congress. They tried these Medicare HMOs; and, unfortunately, they have gotten that through the Congress. And ask almost any senior how these Medicare HMOs are working, and they are not working very well. They have tried an experimental medical savings account, a demonstration project which has not worked very well. Then the President said if you want a prescription drug benefit through Medicare, you have to get out of Medicare and get it through private insurance. That clearly is not flying with the American people. They always, always, always, over the last 30 years, every chance they have gotten, have tried to privatize Medicare. Now, Mr. Speaker, they have this $174 billion tax scheme to, again, try to undercut and weaken Medicare. Medicare works because it is universal insurance.”