Health Insurance Reform Daily Mythbuster: Impact On Seniors

Floor Speech

Mr. CARNAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address seniors in this country about many myths that have been perpetrated about current health care reform.

The fact is that health care reform in this House, which we've talked about, simply provides Medicare reimbursement to doctors who spend time with their patients who wish to speak to their doctors about their values and their preferences with regard to end-of-life-care decisions. It empowers older Americans who want to have their wishes observed.

The other myth we've heard about is rationed care. The fact is nothing will stand between you and your doctor or will prevent you from making the best health care decisions, and if you're enrolled in Medicare, it will improve the level of care you can get.

With regard to a so-called ``government takeover'' of health care, this bill would build on the system of private health care in this country. The CBO said it will actually expand coverage under private care by 16 million and that only about 3 percent of Americans would choose to enroll in a new public health care plan.

Also, with regard to Medicare, we are going to have savings from overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans of $150 billion, which will help improve the stability of Medicare.

Mr. Speaker, we need to pass this now and get on with the serious business of health care reform for our seniors.

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