Don Nickles: “I compliment Senator Feinstein and also Senator Chafee, Senator Alexander, Senator McCain, and others for supporting…”

“I compliment Senator Feinstein and also Senator Chafee, Senator Alexander, Senator McCain, and others for supporting this amendment. Senator Chafee mentioned we passed the income-related Part B premium several years ago with 70 votes. I believe the majority of people, a strong majority--looking at the people who voted for it--are still here. I hope we vote for it again. Medicare has some big problems long term. The bill before us has a lot of new subsidies but does not have a lot of reform to make it affordable for future generations. Part B right now is subsidized by general revenues 3 to 1 Federal Government and individuals. The amendment before us on Part B says if individuals have income above $100,000, they should pay at least 50 percent. If they have income above $200,000, they should pay it all. For couples, that would be $400,000. A couple could make $400,000 before they pay all their Part B premium. Surely we can do that. Why should we ask our kids and/or our grandkids, who might have incomes of $20,000 or $30,000, to be subsidizing individuals to that degree?”