Statement by Senator Bill Frist

Friday, March 6, 1998

I'm pleased and honored to serve as a member of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare.

Congress and President Clinton have entrusted this commission with making recommendations on a number of issues important to the future of Medicare. Over the course of the next year, we, as a group, will review the long-term financial condition of the medicare program, identify problems that threaten its financial integrity, and analyze potential solutions. There are a number of specific directives. We are asked to make recommendations regarding the financial structure of the program, the appropriate balance of benefits covered and beneficiary contributions, the financing of graduate medical education, the age of eligibility, the feasibility of allowing individuals to buy into the medicare program prior to eligibility, the impact of chronic disease and disability trends, and provide a comprehensive approach to preserve the program.

These are difficult issues which must be tackled boldly. We must look toward the future and be willing to think outside the box. I don't enter into this lightly or with a set agenda. And like many of my colleagues, I approach these responsibilities wearing many hats: as the son of parents who received their health care from the program for more than 20 years, as a member of the baby boom generation, as a father of three young boys, as a physician who has cared for thousands of Medicare patients, and as a representative of the United States Senate. My commitment is to work toward preserving and strengthening the Medicare program.

As a physician, I know that the key to patient care lies in first making a proper diagnosis. The success of this commission will depend on our ability to provide a complete diagnosis, looking beyond signs and symptoms to the underlying processes that cause them. If we don't agree on the problem, we will have difficulty agreeing on the solutions. However, I am optimistic that we can work closely and reach agreement regarding provisions to improve the Medicare program.

There is a strong commitment in this group to attack our duties thoughtfully and seriously. I am confident we can work together to define the problems facing this nation and offer constructive recommendations to meet our future obligations. The commission's role in fully examining many of these options, as directed by Congress and the President, should be respected.

Today, we embark on a one year quest that will shape Medicare for years to come.