Moran's Statement On Senator Reid's So-Called Health Reform "Compromise"

Statement

Congressman Jerry Moran today made the following statement regarding Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's announcement this week of a "compromise" on health care reform legislation, part of which would include an option for Americans to "buy in" to Medicare before reaching the age of 65.

"I am concerned that the Majority Leader's 11th-hour so-called "compromise' would be a dramatic step toward a single-payer, one-size-fits-all, government-run health care system for our country," Moran said. "I am strongly opposed to this irresponsible idea.

"Although the details of this back room deal are still up in the air, we do know the plan includes an option for uninsured individuals between the ages of 55 and 64 to purchase health coverage under Medicare. Folks who could not afford this "buy-in' would be given government subsidies to do so. This idea fails to consider the significant consequences that such a dramatic expansion of Medicare will have on our health care system. Under this idea, near-seniors, especially those with serious health problems, will flock to Medicare for health coverage. There is no doubt that we need to find ways for these individuals to have access to affordable, quality health coverage and for them to keep their current coverage if they wish. But, expanding Medicare, a program that is expected to go bankrupt in 2017, in this manner will explode premium costs for all beneficiaries and force the government to turn to the taxpayer for help. Once near-seniors enter this system, they are not likely to be pushed out and the pressure will increase to cover more people on the government rolls. This idea could be a giant step toward single-payer socialized health care in our country. Additionally, it is presumed that this expanded program would pay hospitals, doctors and nurses Medicare rates, which are already drastically diminished. This could cause Kansas hospitals to close their doors and doctors to either stop seeing Kansas seniors or close their practices altogether."

Throughout the health care reform debate, Moran has fought for common-sense reforms that ensure health care quality, reduce costs and increase access for Kansans. Some of these ideas include medical liability reform; permitting the sale of insurance across state lines; establishing high risk pools and reinsurance pools to address pre-existing conditions; increasing the emphasis on wellness and disease prevention; providing tax incentives to low-income families to retain or purchase private health insurance; incentivizing health care savings for individuals and families; implementing health information technology; and training more medical professionals and encouraging them to practice in underserved areas.

Moran is Chairman of the House Rural Health Care Coalition and co-founder of the Congressional Community Pharmacy Coalition.

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