‘Instead of choosing a bipartisan path, Democrats have chosen to play partisan politics by objecting to moving forward with Sen. Grassley’s alternative, insisting instead on voting on a bill which will never become law’



Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor Thursday regarding the Democrats’ obstruction of a bipartisan Medicare bill:



“Our greatest successes this Congress have come when both sides worked together. We saw it last year on the energy bill when we increased CAFE standards to historic levels and, more recently, on the economic stimulus bill.



“And we started down the same path towards compromise when we began Medicare discussions. Both sides wanted to prevent cuts to physicians in the Medicare program and preserve access to the quality medical care our seniors have come to depend on.



“Unfortunately, the Majority walked away from these bipartisan discussions.



“In an effort to preserve some of the progress, protect benefits for seniors and produce a bill that could be signed into law, Sen. Grassley crafted a Medicare bill which should be passed today in the Senate and sent to the President.



“Sen. Grassley’s legislation includes:



“A 1.1 percent increase in physician update and protection for patients who need expensive therapies following a stroke;



“Two years of funding for the Special Diabetes Program;



“A new cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation benefit; This is especially important in Kentucky, where far too many of our citizens struggle with pulmonary diseases.



“A new program to improve care and save money by encouraging doctor’s to write prescriptions electronically.



“It also preserves patient choice and access to Medicare Advantage, which helps retired Kentucky teachers.



“Unfortunately, instead of choosing a bipartisan path, Democrats have once again chosen to play partisan politics by objecting to moving forward with Sen. Grassley’s alternative, insisting instead on voting on a bill which will never become law.



“We all know this is merely an exercise, and that Democrats will return to negotiations after the Senate votes down this doomed bill. Let’s expedite this process and create a bipartisan compromise before July 1.”



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