OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Hike in Medicare Premiums

Date: Sept. 7, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Senior Citizens Entitlements and the Safety Net Health Insurance


HIKE IN MEDICARE PREMIUMS -- (House of Representatives - September 07, 2004)

(Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, last Thursday, President Bush promised in his convention acceptance speech to honor America's seniors by giving them immediate help. The very next day, his administration announced the largest Medicare premium increase in the program's history.

This year most Medicare beneficiaries paid $66 a month for physician services. Thanks to the President's action, these monthly premiums will rise more than 17 percent, forcing seniors with tight incomes to fork over about $78 per month.

Now, President Bush tried to blame the premium hike on rising health care costs, but he ignores the fact that the Medicare bill he and Republicans fought so hard to make law is also responsible for these record increases. That is because the law gives insurers billions of dollars as an enticement to keep seniors on their rolls.

Seniors deserve better than the treatment they are receiving from President Bush and congressional Republicans. Democrats continue to support a prescription drug law that would provide meaningful assistance without forcing up Medicare premiums.

arrow_upward