Boehner: Democratic Leaders Put Our Children & Grandchildren at Risk by Ignoring the Entitlement Crisis
Washington,
Jul 24, 2008 -
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today issued the following statement opposing legislation (H. Res. 1368) to block a proposal to bring fiscal stability to the Medicare program:
“Earlier this year, the Majority Leader punted on the issue of Medicare reform, saying it was an issue for ‘the next Congress.’ This legislation is a clear indication that Leader Hoyer meant what he said – and that is unfortunate. This legislative rubber stamp of the entitlement crisis status quo is regrettable, irresponsible, and unfair to our children and theirs, not to mention the seniors who rely on Medicare today. They will bear the consequences of the Democratic leadership’s refusal to step up and do the right thing.
“This measure also continues the Majority’s ongoing payback to their trial lawyer allies, who have fought against fundamental Medicare and health care reform for years because true reform would diminish their bottom line. In order to successfully reform the Medicare program, we must overhaul our medical liability laws to put the interests of seniors ahead of trial lawyers, and this Democratic measure blocks any attempt at real reform.
“Just as the Democratic leadership of this Congress is sticking its collective head in the sand on the energy crisis, it is doing the same on the entitlement crisis. Ignoring these crises will not make them go away. But that is just what Democrats would do: ignore the entitlement crisis so our children and grandchildren are left to pay the price.”
NOTE: The 2007 Social Security and Medicare Trustees report noted, “Medicare’s financial difficulties come sooner – and are much more severe – than those confronting Social Security. While both programs face demographic challenges, the impact is greater for Medicare because health care costs increase at older ages.” The report explains that – without reform – the Medicare Hospital Insurance Fund will be exhausted by 2019, and the cost will eventually rise to consume more than 10 percent of America’s gross domestic product.
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