Wexler Introduces Bill to Block Mandatory Medicare Cuts
Legislation Would Repeal Medicare’s ‘45 Percent Trigger’

(Washington, DC) Congressman Wexler (D-FL) has filed legislation (H.R. 2009) in Congress to repeal a potentially disastrous Medicare rule, known as the ‘45 percent trigger.’ Today, Congressman Wexler issued the following statement:

 “The 45 percent rule is nothing more than an arbitrary measure that does not take into account the impact on Medicare beneficiaries, nor does it properly address the real drivers behind rising health care costs. It is unfortunate that the Bush Administration is using the release of the Trustees Report to push Medicare privatization and entitlement reform, which is their ultimate goal.  Instead, Congress should review the true needs of Medicare beneficiaries and determine how to cover those needs in a more thoughtful and cost effective manner,” Wexler said.

“I look forward to working with Congressman Pete Stark, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, and I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting passage of this legislation,” Wexler added.

On Monday, April 23, the Board of Trustees for Social Security and Medicare issued their report on the financial status of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds. Their report once again called into question a damaging cost containment provision – also known as the ‘45 percent rule’ – which requires the President to submit a plan to Congress to cut Medicare spending when the Board of Trustees predict two years in a row that government revenues must be used to pay for 45 percent or more of total Medicare costs within seven years.

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Congressman Wexler is Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee and a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Judiciary Committee; and he also sits on the Financial Services Committee.

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