Medicare Quotations | Page 2

HMOs and insurers pumping up their coffers at the detriment to seniors is a blight on the Medicare prescription drug benefit and is the last straw of their looting and pillaging of health care.

We looked at the Medicare market and knew that it was a growing market. Our first challenge was actually to become approved by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).

Just like mammography, we essentially have a preventive health care test that Medicare is mandated to cover.

It is going to be a tough winter for many seniors. Not only will they face higher Medicare premiums, but record gasoline prices and higher home heating bills as well.

It is only their insistence on tax cuts for the wealthy, to be funded by Medicare cuts or changes in the CPI, that we don't have a budget,

It is important we realize everyone pays the price. Fraudulent and erroneous claims rob our Medicare fund and often cheat people out of services they deserve to receive.

Later in the year, the Republicans will be back before this House seeking greater money for defense and broader tax cuts ... and when they do that, they will be seeking money from the Medicare and Social Security trust funds.

It is a Medicare prescription drug program, a benefit and an entitlement inside Medicare. It will be voluntary, and it will be universal. That is, it is the government's responsibility to make sure that every senior in the United States gets the ability to avail themselves of this program, period.

Last night we passed the most extensive update to the Medicare program since the program's creation in 1965, ... The effort was bipartisan.

People are going to be focusing on Jim Nussle's record in Congress and whether his record on budget deficits, tax cuts and Medicare cuts and Medicaid reflect Iowa's attitudes and positions on those issues. That's really what's going to decide this election, not the lieutenant governor.

Our programs were always intended as a safety net, but Medicare is taking over that role for older Americans.

Our Senior Plus Plan offers a great benefit for the price. With the increase in our Part B benefit, participants can now receive $25,000 in healthcare services and pay only the Medicare Part B deductible, $110 for 2005.

Ottumwa Regional Hospital and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Regional Office are attempting to work through the issues at hand. It is very rare for CMS to withdraw Medicare funding due to these types of violations, especially when the hospital is working to correct them. And, it is my understanding that the hospital will be submitting a plan of correction to CMS shortly.

Real security means keeping Medicare and Social Security strong and getting a Medicare prescription drug program. So those are some of the things that I'm going to talk about.

Part of my training was learning how to refer patients to cardiologists for heart problems, gastroenterologists for stomach issues, and rheumatologists for joint pain. Given that most physicians were trained this way, it's no wonder that the average Medicare patient has six doctors and is on five different medications.

People on Medicare are going to be getting much more in benefits than they would have otherwise received.

My own view is that we ought to protect the Social Security and Medicare trust funds, then, with what is left, have significant tax cuts.

It doesn't look hopeful. It's a massive problem especially in light of what happens to Medicare over the next 14 years.

Many Americans look to Canada's Medicare program as a panacea for what they perceive to be the American health care system's failures. These wonderful visions of Canada's socialized health program tend to ignore the very real costs that system imposes on Canadians in need of medically necessary care: long wait times that can stretch into months or even years of painful and detrimental delay. The reality is that Canada's Medicare program is a model for no one, not even Canada.

The American public needs help from the employers, help from the government to save. They're very concerned about not being told the truth about Medicare and Social Security. They're ready to deal with that truth.

The American people want us to go to work. They want us to produce good policy, ... The ability for us to save Social Security and Medicare in the future, the ability to give American workers and working families more of their money so that they can keep it in their pocket instead of giving it to the tax collectors.

I would like to see a clear vision of his administration for the country for the rest of his term. I think a major problem is that we do not have an idea what he is doing. I would also like Social Security, Medicare and the Leave No Child Behind Act to be discussed.

Most of my folks back home think Social Security and Medicare are sacred commitments stronger than the strongest contract. And yet if you look at the details here in Washington, they're not even promises. They're scheduled benefits. I think we need to do all that we can to make sure those benefits are real.

Will Rogers once said, 'If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.' Medicare is in a deep hole. Maybe it is time to stop digging.

We'll be the oldest outfield in baseball history. A real Medicare unit.

Without a doubt, medical affairs departments are struggling to maintain their strategic impact amid regulatory changes and the introduction of new industry guidelines. With the OIG guidance and the potential effects of Medicare Part D, medical affairs departments have turned to globalization to implement standards of practice across all their organizations.

Virtually all physicians - even with a small cut in payments - will still accept Medicare patients.

We can be a stand-alone solution or a safety-net for when Medicare drops coverage, either way it's a soft landing.

The president has made it very clear that he will not sign any budget measure that doesn't put Social Security and Medicare first, that doesn't take those steps forward (and) certainly any measures that would put at risk the progress we've made in paying down the debt,

The president will discuss Medicare and the new prescription drug care program. He's discussing the same issues in Arizona earlier that morning.

Those deficiencies are noted, but at the same time, there is no mention about the Medicare discount cards that were introduced last year. These cards provide discounts between 30 and 40 percent or even more for uninsured patients.

We know in the end this is not a good thing. Medicare Part D will have an effect on our sales and we're bracing for it and we realize we're going to take a hit as a result of this program.

Unfortunately the drug finder program being offered through the Medicare Web site is not yet up and running. It is the main tool that will help us counsel people and on the costs and benefits of each plan.

We're not supportive of getting away from the basic Medicare construct,

When Department of Health and Human Services administrators decided to base 30 percent of hospitals' Medicare reimbursement on patient satisfaction survey scores, they likely figured that transparency and accountability would improve healthcare.

The only reasons to vote will be yes or no on ANWR, not Medicare or anything else, so maybe the House will have the votes for it, as compared with a vote for a mixture.

We still face a longer-range deficit problem and that will be exacerbated by increases in Medicare and Social Security payments, ... It would be helpful to bring our budget deficit down longer-term. I worry more about that than this temporary increase in the deficit.

This nation is about to be hit with a tidal wave of new retirees. In just six years, the baby boomers will begin to retire. The demands on Social Security and Medicare will be dramatically increased, ... This is no time to divert Social Security and Medicare funds to other purposes.

There are a variety of factors going on in the marketplace, so I don't think you can say the Medicare change in pricing is in itself creating a single reason why individuals say they are not getting their treatment.

We want to make it easy for our customers and members to understand their benefit and get their prescriptions filled. Although some new enrollees may not have received their plan enrollment cards, we want to reassure them that Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB pharmacists are ready to help them right away by using the information on their plan enrollment forms. Our pharmacists can also help them by calling their drug plan administrators, or by contacting Medicare directly to confirm their enrollment.

I will take my hands off Medicare when there is no Medicare, then I will come and see you sir.

The conventional view on Wall Street is that the Medicare formularies mimic commercial formularies, and that's incorrect. These formularies are more stringent than what you see in the private sector.

I want to protect and preserve social security and Medicare.

The real problem with big issues like Medicare is that both parties have to be brave at the same time. Every pollster will tell you not to do that to get partisan advantage. Too many people here are willing to deliberately harm the country for partisan gain. That is borderline treason.

We ought to follow through on an idea that was first proposed by President Clinton to allow people over the age of 55 who are not eligible for Medicare into the Medicare system, at cost, and below cost for those who can't afford it. That takes care of a significant number of the people who don't have health insurance.

When Republicans say, 'The first thing you do when you do deficit reduction is reduce rates,' it would be like Democrats saying, 'The first thing you do when you do deficit reduction is provide free Medicare at age 55.' We'd like to do that! But it won't bring the deficit down. That's for sure.

We know that Medicare is set to go bankrupt in 2024 with no action, and social security is set to be insolvent by 2037.

Those who sign up for a Medicare prescription-drug plan will have prescription coverage. They will be in an insurance plan. Therefore, they cannot also participate in Pfizer plans, which were designed for the uninsured.

We are working on a new safety net process as a backstop. Somebody who has Medicare and Medicaid can go to the pharmacy and show proof and get his or her prescription filled.

We are working on a new safety net process as a backstop, ... Somebody who has Medicare and Medicaid can go to the pharmacy and show proof and get his or her prescription filled.

We are working closely with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure that people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid -- or 'dual eligible' beneficiaries -- will receive their needed medications at all of our Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB pharmacies. Our pharmacies can work with most prescription plans, so if our customers or members have more than one card, we can process them all. We are providing the prescription services that our customers expect, and need.

We have got to cut the spending. We have got to fix Medicare and Social Security. And actually, if we don't cut spending, this country is already broke. We are going off the financial cliff: the big cliff that is going to cause a total economic collapse of America.

When people see the budget, they're going to say, 'Oh, my God, I wanted a tax cut, but I didn't know what you were going to do to health care and to Medicare and national defense,'

When Obama gutted Medicare by taking $717 billion out of it, the Romney plan does not do that. The Ryan plan mimicked part of the Obama package there, the Romney plan does not. That's a big difference.

We will do for our kids in Illinois what our country decided to do 40 years ago for our senior citizens under the Medicare program. We will guarantee access to health care for our kids,

There has never been a new item in Medicare as big as this prescription drug program and its components.

We think the overall pressures on pharmacy sales at the drugstores may continue as Medicare Part D begins amidst challenging comparisons from a late cold/flu season last year.

To be sure, debates will linger about whether Medicare is too large or too small. Debates remain about the allocation of Medicare dollars. But December 8, 2003, demonstrated that there is no debate about this most fundamental fact: Medicare must survive.

To the degree the mail-service pharmacy option can be more aggressively promoted and accepted, the better off seniors will be and better off the Medicare program will be.

When you look at the people who say they don't plan to enroll, it's mainly because they already have coverage. They have coverage through a former employer or through a Medicare health plan, and that's just great.

Unfortunately, guidance by the Office of Inspector General makes it very difficult for companies to continue providing free or discounted medicines to Medicare beneficiaries. ... The threat of anti-kickback violations has spooked a lot of people.

Two-thirds of our patients are the elderly who are on Medicare and fixed incomes.

The governor is stepping in to provide a system until the Medicare problems are fixed. We're not taking (the Medicare prescription drug plan) over. We're providing a payer of last resort.

We're talking about patients who are for the most part 65 years of age or older. Eighty-two percent of Medicare patients who want the medication have co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesteremia and prostate disease.

We need to save and strengthen and fix Medicare. Seniors realize Medicare is broken.

Today we will pass a Medicare prescription drug benefit because for us, fulfilling America's promise is not just a slogan, it's a commitment to meet the needs of the American people as we face the 21st century,

While we deeply regret having to part with any of our employee family, the continuing impact of restrictive Medicare policies leaves us no choice.

There is nothing in the Medicare law that prohibits drug companies from providing these sorts of programs to people with Medicare.

We have a Category Five fiscal disaster with Social Security and Medicare and just like Katrina, it's predicted, it's inevitable, and in the case of these man-made disasters, we even know the date.

This type of in-depth, professional help is very rare. It's not available for many other complex choices, such as selecting the right Medicare prescription drug plan. Where else can you talk with an impartial, seasoned specialist and quickly learn which carriers and benefits are most advantageous in your case?

We tell people all the time that they shouldn't carry their Social Security number in their wallet, ... Their response is, 'Well, it's on my Medicare card.'

We talked with companies that are in the process of setting up dedicated Medicare Part D teams to handle marketing to these customers, as new and unique product messaging will be required.

We went from 500 Medicare members to 2 Medicare members.

What is unique about the My Medicare Matters(TM) campaign is that it is a grassroots, on-the-ground educational initiative that is not affiliated with any specific plan. My Medicare Matters(TM) gives personalized, one-on-one help to those eligible for Medicare, especially those with limited income and resources.

We expect the states to work with us and agree to turn off their Medicaid reimbursement systems and return to the Medicare system by Feb. 15. But we may be able to extend that date for certain specific states.

We are supporting that effort through modifications in our payment system by not following the usual and standard Medicare and Medicaid rules,

We like what we are beginning to see in the bill, but we have not seen full details. There needs to be a start. This establishes within Medicare a real benefit that could be meaningful.

Every Medicare beneficiary can choose whether they want prescription drug coverage or not,

Based on improving new product visibility, benefits from restructuring initiatives, and near-term volume boost from Medicare Part D supports our Attractive rating for the U.S. pharmaceutical sector.

At present, the Social Security trustees estimate that the unfunded liability over the indefinite future to be $10.4 trillion, ... The shortfall in Medicare is calculated at several multiples of the one in Social Security.

At this critical time, CMS should have a user-friendly, informative and easy to understand Medicare Web page,

Director Portman will be inheriting the most dire long-term fiscal outlook we've ever had. The first baby boomers retire in 18 months, and the Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid costs are set to explode. On top of that, he'll be dealing with a Congress that's absolutely addicted to runaway spending and pork!

continue to speak out against the president's Medicare policies.

Anne brings an exceptional background, company knowledge and strong leadership capabilities to this position. Her extensive experience in improving the operational and financial performance of reputable organizations will garner us the ability to further expand on our Medicare Part D offerings and services.

Ever since the Medicare Modernization Act passed, those of you on the front line have been expressing your deep concern that SSA is not positioned well to help people understand, enroll in and negotiate the new Medicare Part D coverage. Now we are seeing the consequences of that fact.

Each member is going to answer for where they were when Medicare went broke,

First, let's take Social Security and Medicare off the table so that those funds are protected. Then, let's take one-third of the surplus and give every American, not just the rich, a fair tax cut. Let's use another third of the surplus and invest it in education and other key priorities. Finally, let's use a third of our surplus to keep paying down the debt.

There should be a straight-forward, comprehensive and affordable Medicare drug benefit. We do not have that now.

There's no question Medicare Part D has dampened sales.

There's no consensus on cutting the budget, solving the illegal immigration problem, tackling the looming meltdown of Medicare and Social Security or making a concerted effort to win the hearts of minority voters.

The whole purpose of this drug benefit was to get drug coverage in the hands of all Medicare beneficiaries. Where are the people? That's the question.

The state of the union today is that we have low-income Americans begging for their prescription drugs, and seniors are going without any coverage. The president has botched the Medicare so badly that it doesn't resemble a 'benefit' for most seniors.

The system keeps going down and the reason for that is not all Medicare part D enrollees have received their cards. It's created a surge in capacity. It's one database being used for the entire country, so it's affecting everybody.

The survey underscores the fundamental flaws of the new Medicare legislation. Those flaws are producing bewilderment and confusion among seniors and will result in a far more costly program for America's seniors and taxpayers.

Right now we have $10 billion in cuts on the table for the Medicare program in the U.S. Congress. So we're moving in the wrong direction.

Providing seniors with the peace of mind that they will be able to get the medicine they need, when they need it, as well as offer extra assistance to pay for it ... is what this new Medicare Benefit has to offer, ... It is important that seniors understand we are talking about a dependable, government-underwritten program that will be a major pillar of Medicare going forward.

Programs aimed strictly at the poorest Americans are always and forever under assault from a Republican Party that still has not dared to cut spending on programs - like Medicare and crop insurance - that also benefit the rich.

Our Senior Segment premiums rose 13%, or $23.6 million, for the year compared to 2004 due to new business and 2005 rate increases. To improve our results going forward, we believe that we implemented the necessary rate increases on our Medicare supplement blocks of business as we continue to focus on actuarial analysis and pricing. As we proactively face these challenges, we remain confident that our Medicare supplement plans will be a positive market for us in the future.

Open the borders to willing workers from any and all nations. They will create businesses that pay taxes, especially payroll taxes to fund Medicare and Social Security benefits of retiring baby boomers.

The old Medicare was a system stuck in the past and we need to worry about the young workers that are putting money into the future, ... The more options available, the more likely you are going to get what you want.