Orrin Hatch: “I have offered amendment No. 508 to ensure that Congress continues to protect Medicare beneficiaries' coverage choices…”

“I have offered amendment No. 508 to ensure that Congress continues to protect Medicare beneficiaries' coverage choices, especially for those living in rural areas and low-income Medicare beneficiaries. My amendment establishes a budget-neutral reserve fund so that if Congress implements improvements to Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP, it may not do so in a way that leads to fewer coverage choices for Medicare beneficiaries. It also may not reduce the benefits of those beneficiaries who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare Advantage plans provide a range of benefits not available in traditional Medicare such as vision and dental care, physical exams, and hearing aids. Medicare Advantage plans also have chronic care management programs to help beneficiaries with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or congestive heart failure better manage their conditions and stay healthy. I conclude by urging my colleagues to keep in mind the following: Beneficiaries across the Nation--whether they live in a rural State such as Utah or urban area such as New York City--now have more coverage choices. These choices offer beneficiaries more benefits and lower out of pocket costs. Beneficiaries are satisfied. Let's not forget that it was through policy decisions supported by Members on both sides of the aisle that helped achieve those results. And those results, in my opinion, are worth protecting for beneficiaries' sake. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment.”