House Plan To Privatize Medicare Will Hurt Seniors; Benefit Big Donors
The following is a press release from June 26, 2003, by Kucinich's office in Congress.
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Kucinich: House Plan To Privatize Medicare Will Hurt Seniors; Benefit Big Donors
Republican Plan Cloaks Privatization In So Called "Reform"
The Majority's so-called Medicare 'reform' bill, to be voted on this evening in the House, is nothing but a shallow attempt to privatize Medicare and reward big political donors, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) stated today.
Kucinich, Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, today, issued the following statement:
"The so-called Medicare 'reform' bill on the floor this evening is nothing but a shallow attempt to privatize Medicare and reward big political donors. This bill will do nothing to help seniors who are in desperate need of a real Medicare drug benefit.
"Since 1997, the drug industry has spent nearly $478 million lobbying the federal government, lavishing $20 million on Republicans in the last election, eight times what it spent in the previous cycle.
"And tonight, they get their payoff. This bill contains no cost containment to rescue seniors from the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs. Under this plan seniors can expect the continued escalation of the prices of private health insurance and prescription drugs.
"Since Republicans have taken over Congress they have made their intentions clear on Medicare. Leading Republicans stated all the way back in 1995 that Medicare will, 'wither on the vine'. This evening the Republicans who wish to dismantle Medicare will get their wish.
"Republican privatization plans will more expensive than Medicare fee for service and will cause employers to drop retiree health coverage. The Congressional Budget Office says 37% of those beneficiaries who have employer coverage could lose it as a result of the new plan.
"The Republican Medicare privatization is bad for seniors, bad for retirees, bad for employers, and bad for the economy. The only ones who benefit from this plan are political donors who seek to continue health care for profit in this country."
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