Medicare Bill Is A Disappointment To Seniors, Victory For Insurers - Senior Advocates Will Continue The Fight Against Wasteful Industry Overpayments

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 19 Dec 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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"The debate over Medicare legislation has been a true disappointment to millions of seniors tired of paying more in premiums so that insurers offering private Medicare Advantage plans can keep their billions in government subsidies. While everyone in Washington talks about fiscal discipline, the President's veto threat with support from his allies in Congress, shows the influence of the insurance lobby once again ruled the day.

This legislation offers only a band-aid fix to the doctor's fee cut and clearly puts insurers' profits ahead of Medicare's solvency and seniors' needs. The National Committee will continue to work with the House and Senate members next year on legislation to eliminate these outrageous and wasteful subsidies to Medicare Advantage insurers, strengthen aid for low income beneficiaries and improve Medicare's long-term solvency."...Barbara B. Kennelly, President/CEO.

The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.

National Committee