Outrage Over Increase in Medicare Part B Premiums

OUTRAGE OVER INCREASE IN MEDICARE PART B PREMIUMS -- (House of Representatives - September 08, 2004)

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

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I just want to reiterate again my sense of outrage over this 17 percent increase in Medicare Part B premiums, which is basically $11 a month for America's seniors that is soon to go into effect.

President Bush said, well, this is because health care costs have gone up, but what he does not say is it is actually the result of Republican policies. The Republicans passed their so-called Medicare prescription drug bill, which we know is a sham, does not even go into effect until the year 2006, but what that bill did was to give a lot more money to insurers, and, as a result, the cost of Medicare premiums are going up.

The fact of the matter is that this 17 percent increase that is unaffordable for many seniors is a direct result of Republican policy and the Bush administration's policy, and it has to stop.

We need a change of administration. We need a President, John Kerry, who is going to worry about senior citizens, address their needs, address the rising costs of health care, address the Medicare concerns, provide a true prescription drug benefit.

This premium increase is just an indication of what we would see over the next 2-years if the Republicans continue in power in this House. It has got to stop. Seniors should wake up and see the result of the Bush policies and what it means for their Medicare program.