Jim McDermott

I appreciate your public service.

The truth is that Medicare must be strengthened, not cut, and benefits must be expanded, not scaled back.

These falls can result in serious injuries and expensive hospitalizations.

Now, similar untreated vision disorders substantially increase the risk of falls among senior citizens.

Patients who have poor or no dental care often find themselves suffering from costly and potentially fatal conditions such as cardio-vascular disease and oral cancers.

Doing without dental coverage frequently leads to preventable health problems.

One of the largest holes in the Medicare system is that it does not currently cover most dental, vision, or hearing expenses.

The best way to improve and sustain Medicare is by expanding it and strengthening it because, unfortunately, there are holes in the program that weaken health security of our beneficiaries.

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

I intend to carefully scrutinize ideas that may not be in the best interests of the program or the beneficiaries.

I intend to discuss legislation I have recently introduced which will provide beneficiaries with access to comprehensive dental, vision, and hearing services.

To make that a reality we have to move the conversation in Congress away from harmful ideas like privatizing the program and cutting seniors' benefits.

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.

At its core, Medicare is a fulfillment of a commitment to the health security of the American people.

Thank you for holding this Member Day hearing to improve and sustain Medicare.

I know we are starting the Paul Ryan for President campaign, conservatives are now very compassionate.

There are people for whom those programs work.

We will know them by the fruits that they produce.

You leave them without health care.

Nobody wants to talk about raising the wage around here.

What are her problems? Feeding her kids, right? Finding decent housing that she can afford.

I would ask if you would send us a list who they are that are dragging their feet on this.

You require States to report electronically to you, can you?

Attempts to defraud and steal the identities of Americans, especially senior citizens is a concern that I now share.

I want to also thank Chairman Johnson for calling this hearing to allow Mr. O'Carroll to have the opportunity really to discuss the challenges.