The bill will cover all Medicare beneficiaries, unless they have equivalent coverage from another source. It will accomplish this by having private companies submit competitive bids to manage the benefit and negotiate discounts for seniors in return for a payment from Medicare. The President has another approach, but the point is we need to come together to provide this vital update to Medicare. I believe reforming Medicare is as much about updating it with a prescription drug benefit as looking at payment reforms. With that, I'd like to end my remarks by encouraging you to remain vigilant in making your voices heard on behalf of your colleagues, patients and families.
Health care remains one of the most important and difficult issues for the American people.
Only through constant pressure from people like you will Congress achieve the health care goals that are so important to our nation. The outcome of this debate will rely in large part on the organizational effort you put in to it. You must make dedicate yourselves to making the needs and concerns of rural America a top priority. This means a tireless commitment from each and every one of you. You must reach out to your Members in every conceivable way, and you need to focus your efforts on the Members of the Finance Committee, where a large part of this debate will take place.