FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Wednesday, June 11, 2008
CONTACT: Brian Cook (202) 225-3202

WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Pete Stark (D-CA), Chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, released the following statement today in response to the Senate Republican Medicare package:

“Rather than work on a bipartisan basis to develop a Medicare package that balances the needs of beneficiaries, providers, and taxpayers, Senate Republicans have chosen to protect the health insurance industry.”

“It is the height of absurdity to suggest that helping low-income seniors will make a substantial difference in long-term spending. Indeed, if Senate Republicans were seriously concerned about reforming Medicare and addressing future financial challenges, they would join with us in eliminating all MA overpayments, which will cost taxpayers more than $150 billion in the next 10 years, and drain years off of the Medicare Trust Fund.”

“The introduction of this bill is nothing more than a smokescreen meant to hide the fact that they are standing in the way of a meaningful Medicare reform package this year.”