| February 8, 2001 |
INCREASED BENEFITS FOR MINNESOTA SENIORS
WASHINGTON – Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN) today applauded UCare and HealthPartners for reducing rates and increasing benefits for Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the Medicare+Choice program.
"I highly applaud UCare and HealthPartners for their decisions to respond to our efforts to increase options for Minnesota seniors," said Ramstad.
"It is truly gratifying that our efforts are putting dollars back into the pockets of Minnesota seniors," said Ramstad.
The FY2001 spending bill enacted at the end of the last session of Congress included provisions, authored by Rep. Ramstad and others, to increase payments to Medicare+Choice plans. Today's actions by these Minnesota plans were in response to this legislation.
"These plans have truly done the right thing today by reducing premiums and increasing benefits for Medicare beneficiaries in Minnesota," said Ramstad.
"For too long, Minnesota seniors have suffered because of the arcane Medicare formula which penalizes Minnesota for its efficient health care system," said Ramstad. "This bill begins to rectify this gross injustice."
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