Political Quotes

“I have come to the floor each day this week to talk about what I think is the critical need for the Senate to develop a bipartisan plan to reform Medicare. Medicare is a lifeline for millions and millions of American families, and I think it is understood by every Member of this body that this is a program that faces financial crisis as we look to the next century. Today, as part of the effort to build support for a bipartisan Medicare reform effort I will look specifically at the Medicare reimbursement formula. I think it is important to take this subject up because I believe today's Medicare reimbursement system in many instances overcharges taxpayers on costs and shortchanges older people who need and deserve good quality care. Now, Mr. President, as we all know, there are essentially two major types of health care in America. There is traditional health care, what is known as fee-for-service. It means just what it sounds like. Providers get paid on the basis of the number of services that they render. This, unfortunately, can encourage waste.”