Congress Casts a Historic Vote for Seniors and Children

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The following is a statement by Barbara B. Kennelly, President/CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare:

“While everyone in Washington claims to care about seniors and children, tonight’s vote in the House forced members of Congress to prove it. A majority has chosen to return America’s healthcare priorities where they belong… on American families. Government subsidies to private insurers providing Medicare Advantage have created a gaping hole that is draining the Medicare trust fund and imposing unfair costs on millions of beneficiaries across the nation. These outrageous overpayments were proposed by the insurance industry and passed into law by their allies in Congress, four years ago. That mistake was corrected in the House tonight. By eliminating these government subsidies, private Medicare plans will have to compete on a level playing field with traditional Medicare. We’ve been told for decades industry can provide seniors cheaper and more efficient healthcare; this House bill gives insurers the chance to prove it.”

The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff. The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better- informed citizens and voters.

National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare

CONTACT: Pamela Causey, +1-202-216-8378, +1-202-236-2123, or Kim Wright,+1-202-216-8414, both of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security &Medicare

Web site: http://www.ncpssm.org/