Political Quotes

“In the legislative process, effective communication can help bring attention to important issues and advance good policy. Unfortunately, all too often rhetoric doesn't match reality. Take, for example, Medicare's so-called competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment. The program was intended to reduce Medicare costs and ensure that beneficiaries have access to quality services. In practice, the system denies competition, which hurts small business providers, and worsens access to quality services, which harms seniors. In fact, despite the program's catchy title, more than 240 market auction experts and economists have warned that the Medicare bidding program harms competition and will ultimately hurt patients. Today I've joined in support of legislation, H.R. 1717, the Medicare Market Pricing Program Act of 2013, which would replace this program with one that's not just labeled competitive, but is competitive, and maintains beneficiary access to quality items and services. I encourage my colleagues to join in support of the Medicare Market Pricing Program Act of 2013. ____________________”