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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 6, 1998
CONTACT: Jason I. Poblete

Rep. Bill Thomas Calls for
Landmark Medicare Reform

Washington, DC - Rep. Bill Thomas (R-Calif.), Administrative Chairman of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare, stated during the first meeting of the Commission, "we have an historic opportunity to fundamentally reform Medicare for American seniors and future generations - the greatest chance for real reform that the Medicare system requires."

"We must think big thoughts, define the problem spots, and propose viable solutions. Americans want a Medicare program that is affordable, fair, efficient and flexible. A program that will treat people as individuals, not as a number or statistic. While structural reform is important, we must not lose sight of the human side of this issue. The American people deserve the best health care for their tax dollar. We must do a better job of making sure they get that."

"Consensus is possible and necessary. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 demonstrates that we can achieve comprehensive Medicare reform when we work together. I want to build on those successes with this Commission. I know we can. I am confident we will."

In restructuring the program, this Commission must never underestimate the wisdom of our seniors and their collective power in exercising their individual choices. The Balanced Budget Act reforms brought our seniors a wide range of choices -- like medical savings accounts, provider-sponsored organization plans, health maintenance organizations, and private fee-for-service plans -- while maintaining the option of remaining in traditional fee-for-service Medicare."

"The latest Congressional Budget Office estimates predict that many of our seniors will take advantage of these new opportunities. In just 4 years, one quarter of beneficiaries are expected to choose to enroll in a private plan instead of fee-for-service Medicare. I want to build on these successes with this Commission."

"The challenges ahead are daunting. Medicare costs will still double over the next 10 years and the ratio of workers to retirees will shrink to 2-to-1, so the task will not be easy. Our job is to move beyond the rhetoric and reach for the substance to preserve and protect the program for today's seniors and ensure it is here for tomorrow's generations."

"We are brought together with one common goal: making Medicare work better, harder and smarter for America's seniors and the taxpayers that support the system."

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