Last week, I, along with Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK), unveiled the Seniors’ Choice Act, a legislative proposal to help America’s seniors by building a stronger, more sustainable Medicare program through immediate and longer-term reforms, many rooted in long-standing, bipartisan ideas. Non-partisan experts have warned the current Medicare program is facing insolvency due to unsustainable growth, and the Seniors’ Choice Act would fix its shortcomings so that it remains a viable option for seniors participating in the program now and for future enrollees.
We made a promise to our seniors that Medicare will be there when they need it most, but the program as it currently stands is broken. We have a moral obligation to our parents, children, and all Americans to take steps now to save Medicare. The Medicare program in its current form is unsustainable, and we have an obligation and opportunity to improve it for our nation’s seniors within the next few years.
Unfortunately, President Obama’s budget proposal promoted more of the same – provider cuts that will only jeopardize seniors’ access to care rather than proposing reforms that will address the serious challenges facing the program for seniors today and in the future. We can reduce Medicare spending by putting patients first and implementing common-sense reforms that promote choice and competition, giving seniors the same kinds of choices that Members of Congress enjoy. Our patient-focused proposal is a better way to put Medicare on a sustainable path and fulfill our promise to seniors today and in the future, and it will serve as a blueprint for legislative reform.
You can read more about the plan in this press release.
Throughout the day, we went on national television to answer tough questions about our proposal. In case you missed them, you can watch the videos here.
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| MSNBC’s Morning Joe |
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| CNN’s Starting Point |
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| FOX’s On the Record with Greta Van Susteren |
Greta made a trip to the Hill to film the interview from my office in DC. Check out her behind the scenes pictures here.
In addition, I had the opportunity to speak with Newsmax TV’s John Bachman about the Seniors’ Choice Act.
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| Newsmax TV |
Senator Coburn and I also had the chance to talk to several print reporters and bloggers about our plan. Here’s what they are saying:
Forbes – Burr-Coburn: The Best Medicare Reform Proposal Yet
“Many politicians (and many voters) duck the hard choices when it comes to Medicare reform… Based on a new proposal from Sens. Richard Burr (R., N.C.) and Tom Coburn (R., Okla.), the impossible seems within reach: the triumph of sound policy over interest-group politics… Change may come to Washington in November, and if it does, thanks to Richard Burr and Tom Coburn, real entitlement reform may move from a dream to reality.” – Avik Roy, Forbes, February 16, 2012
Hot Air – GOP senators introduce new plan to overhaul Medicare
“Coburn and Burr, then, deserve the respect, praise and attention of their congressional colleagues simply because they had the bravery to bring up an unpopular subject… At this point, any discussion of Medicare reform is better than no discussion. Tangible action will have to wait until after November — but, to borrow a phrase from the president, can’t wait much longer than that or there’ll be no Medicare to reform.” – Tina Korbe, Hot Air, February 16, 2012
Heritage Foundation Blog – Building a Better Medicare Program: The Burr–Coburn Proposal
“The Senators’ proposal adds further momentum to the effort to reform and improve America’s largest and most challenging entitlement program… The Burr–Coburn proposal is a welcome addition to the emerging consensus on Medicare reform. Baby boomers—the next generation of retirees—need the guarantee of higher quality of care at competitive prices. The alternative is current law: guaranteed Medicare payment cuts, reduced access to doctors and hospitals, and dangerous levels of debt.” – Bob Moffitt, Heritage Foundation, February 16, 2011
Washington Examiner – GOP senators offer Medicare reform plan
“The Coburn-Burr plan attempts to right Medicare’s finances faster than any other existing proposal. Coburn said he is pushing for significant changes to the program that provides health care to seniors and the disabled now in hopes of forcing a debate over entitlement reform before 2013…[Joseph] Antos [an economics and health policy scholar at the American Enterprise Institute] said it makes economic sense to start the reforms more quickly because immediate cost savings are needed to keep Medicare solvent. ‘This one doesn’t wait until 2022 for real reform to happen, and that is absolutely essential,’ Antos said.” – Susan Ferrechio, Washington Examiner, February 16, 2012
Respect for Rights of Conscience Act
Religious liberty is one of the most valued freedoms upon which this nation was founded and, as a free and just society, it is important that this right is taken seriously and respected by those who make policies. I am a cosponsor of a bill introduced by Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, which takes a very important step to protect the First Amendment rights of American citizens.
The President’s recent mandate under the new health care law violates religious liberties and conscience rights of faith-based institutions and individuals by forcing them to offer employees insurance coverage for contraception free of charge. While the Administration has back peddled a little by saying that some religious organizations would be exempt, we do not know how broad this exemption will be and who will be left out of it. Additionally, while the Administration has attempted to “accommodate” religious freedom through a new policy announced Friday, the details have not been regulated and it is necessary that legislative action be taken to restore the appropriate outcome, which is respect for religious beliefs. The First Amendment applies to all Americans, and we must ensure that these rights are not infringed upon by this executive regulation.
The First Amendment to the Constitution contains some of the most valued freedoms upon which this nation was founded, and I hope that President Obama will reverse this unprecedented federal mandate that conflicts with long-standing religious freedoms and conscience protections.