Murphy Stands Up for Healthcare Benefits for Seniors

Press Release

Murphy Stands Up for Healthcare Benefits for Seniors

Citing massive cuts to Medicare Advantage plans and other healthcare benefits for seniors, Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18) today voted against H.R. 3162, legislation to extend the State Children's Healthcare Insurance Program (SCHIP). Congressman Murphy called for a bipartisan effort to provide coverage for children without taking away from seniors.

"As a healthcare provider in a hospital setting, I've seen firsthand the benefits of this program," said Congressman Tim Murphy, Co-chair of the 21st Century Healthcare Caucus. "However, we should not have to choose between seniors and children. More than 67,200 seniors in my district alone will have their benefits cut because this legislation fails to focus on real healthcare reform. Reducing medication errors, eliminating infections, and other patient safety measures would save hundreds of billions of dollars each year and no seniors would have to lose their benefits."

The legislation will cost taxpayers $160 billion over 10 years, according to the independent Congressional Budget Office. It cuts funding for Medicare Advantage plans by $157 billion. These plans provide healthcare benefits such as disease management programs and preventive care that monitor the overall well-being of seniors. Disease management works closely with patients with diagnoses like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. It has been a proven way to reduce hospital days and coordinate the complex care needs of patients with chronic illness. With these cuts, however, many seniors on a fixed-income in Southwestern Pennsylvania could see their out-of-pocket healthcare expenses increase by $660 per year, nearly doubling what they currently pay. The bill also cuts federal funds to skilled nursing home facilities, and home healthcare, taxes private health insurance plans, and increases the federal tax on a pack of cigarettes from $0.39 to $0.84.

"Not only does this legislation hurt seniors, but it creates loopholes allowing people to qualify for coverage for who it was never intended," continued Congressman Murphy. "It extends benefits to people up to the age of 21, who are certainly no longer children, and allows non-citizens to immediately qualify for the program. In addition, families of four making more than $100,000 will now qualify for the program. It is not fair to cut healthcare benefits for fixed-income seniors so that people who can afford healthcare can receive a government subsidy.

"I strongly encourage the President to veto this legislation and allow Congress to go back to the drawing board. Both our nation's seniors and low-income children deserve legislation that meets both their needs."

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