Jim McDermott: “We are anxious to help support this legislation in any way possible.”

Mr. Blumenauer put through a bill, Mr. Levin and I put a bill in 25 years ago, that everybody in Medicare ought to file an advance directive.

I appreciate your public service.

The creation of Medicare in 1965 was one of the great policy achievements in the history of this country.

A strong Medicare doesn't mean we turn the program over to the insurance industry, and it doesn't mean we shift more costs on to the beneficiaries.