News from Congresswoman Jane Harman

Congresswoman Jane harman - Press Release

November 21, 2003

HARMAN TO VOTE A RELUCTANT “NO” ON MEDICARE

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Jane Harman (CA-36) today announced she will be voting “no” on the Medicare bill, HR 1, that will be coming before Congress later this evening. Harman sought input from all over the 36th District of California to inform her decision. Below is Harman’s statement regarding her vote:

“This vote on the massive Medicare reform package has been an especially difficult one to assess.

“I support much that is in the legislation, and believe that the prescription drug benefit in particular, while imperfect, is an important and appropriate expansion of the Medicare program.

“Another good feature is the cancellation of scheduled cuts in reimbursements to hospitals and physicians. Physician payments will also be simplified and, in fact, will increase. It is essential for doctors to continue to accept Medicare recipients.

“Further, I believe that fundamental Medicare reform is essential. Thick ranks of baby boomers stand ready to retire - and their numbers alone place this country at a critical healthcare crossroads.

“Yet, I have canvassed a cross section of my constituents, who express consistent, across-the-board criticism of the bill. Private doctors, public health officials, seniors and local leaders - all are concerned that this is the wrong reform package.

“A local cardiologist told me that although the need is great, this bill ‘just won’t fill it - at all.’

“A respected Kaiser oncologist considers the bill ‘highly flawed,’ a ‘Band-Aid.’

“The local AARP representative calls the bill a ‘disgrace’ and believes that it will ‘ruin a program that people love.’

“Seniors told a City Councilmember from my district that the bill’s ‘doughnut hole’ is too big and the deductible too high.

“The director of a local family clinic calls Medicare ‘one of the few healthcare programs that actually works’ and believes the bill will threaten healthcare rather than enhance it.

“Local oncology clinics report that cancer patients will be especially hard hit because the bill ‘drastically underfunds’ clinic reimbursements.

“The director of a university-based healthcare network tells me that the legislation is ‘not ready for prime time’ and would not meet ‘the needs of the majority of people.’

“And as one who has fought for balanced budgets since I came to this House, I also agree with editorial boards all over the country that the absence of any offset to pay for another $400 billion entitlement condemns us to ever-deeper debt and deficits.

“I want reform. I want a drug benefit. And I want fiscal responsibility.

“If I thought this was the best we could do, I would support the bill. But we can do better and produce a bill that enjoys strong bipartisan support.

“Tonight, I will reluctantly vote ‘no.’”

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