Political Quotes

“In rural communities like those in south central and southwestern Pennsylvania, millions of patients rely on Medicare to see their doctors, fill their prescriptions, and live healthy lives. Now, if Congress fails to act, those patients will be in jeopardy. Medicare pay cuts, when compiled with a 4.6 percent medical inflation, will ultimately result in higher costs for Medicare beneficiaries. When I first came to Congress, I pledged to support Medicare and pledged to support the patients who rely on those Medicare benefits. These cuts will make it impossible for rural providers to keep their doors open. These cuts will mean longer travel and wait times for patients to see family doctors, to see surgeons, and to see specialists. Right now, thousands of Medicare patients are in need of a primary care physician. These Medicare cuts will drive further consolidation and force patients into higher cost settings of care that will both increase their wait times and increase their out-of-pocket expenses. Congress must step in and address these cuts before they do irreversible damage to our healthcare system. America and our patients are relying on us to make the right choices. ____________________”