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For Immediate Release:  February 17, 1999
Contact: Rusty Jabour

National Medicare Commission Scheduled to Meet on February 24 in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON (February 17) – Members of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare will continue their consideration of a premium support model for Medicare reform at a meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 24, in Washington, D.C., Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) and Rep. Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) said today.

The Commission will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 24, beginning at 3 p.m., in Room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. The meeting is open to the public.

The full Commission will continue its review of Chairman Breaux’s Medicare reform proposal, introduced on Jan. 26. The proposal includes a "premium support" model, patterned after the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) which provides health insurance for nine million federal employees, retirees and dependents nationwide.

Proponents note that premium support would provide Medicare beneficiaries more choice and would increase program efficiencies by promoting competition among participating health plans.

Over the last three months, the Commissioners have been studying reform variables and their cost estimates. The Commission is scheduled to report its recommendations to the Congress and the Administration in March.

The Chairmen said Medicare should be 1) responsive to the needs of beneficiaries, 2) cost-effective for beneficiaries and taxpayers, 3) available for younger workers who need a financially solvent program when they retire, and 4) fair to providers.

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