Washington DC - Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, delivered opening remarks at a hearing with Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. Below are highlights of his remarks:
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"The President outlined a tough budget on a number of fronts. I wouldn't have made all of the same choices. But, I commend the President for trying to walk the fine line of reducing the deficit and continuing to meet people's needs."
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"In contrast, House Republicans are debating a job-killing Continuing Resolution that independent analysts confirm would destroy 800,000 private and public sector jobs... Of particular concern for today's audience is that we would endanger the ability of Medicare to pay doctors, hospitals and other health care providers who treat Medicare payments, threatening seniors' access to health care."
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"My friends on the other side of the aisle have been talking out of both sides of their mouths. At a hearing last week, they were talking about how health reform did too much to cut Medicare. This week, they're saying we need to cut even more out of Medicare, and supporting a Republican Roadmap that would turn Medicare into a voucher system."
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"Taken together, the Medicare changes in the health reform law add up to significant and meaningful entitlement reform, but reform that protects taxpayers, the program and beneficiaries."
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For Rep. Stark's full opening statement, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7zyln_S9IQ
