U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., voted in favor of an amendment to the Senate health care bill that would have guarded against irresponsible raiding of Medicare to pay for new government entitlement programs. Senators voted along party lines, and the amendment failed by a 43-56 vote.
Sponsored by Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., the provision would have required certification that all projected increases in spending under the bill will be fully offset by the bill's projected savings each year for the subsequent 10 years after it is fully implemented - not counting savings from Medicare.
"This amendment would prevent Medicare from continuing to be a piggy bank for pet projects," said Chambliss. "We simply cannot continue ransacking Medicare to pay for new government entitlement programs - it's irresponsible. I am disappointed that so many of my colleagues disagree."