From Rep. Pete Stark Ranking Democrat, Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Health
and Rep. Sander M. Levin Ranking Democrat, Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security
May, 1, 2006
Senior Ways and Means Democrats Respond to 2006 Social Security / Medicare Trustees Report
(Washington D.C.)- Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Pete Stark and Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Sander Levin issued the following statements today, responding to the 2006 reports of the Board of Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds:
Rep. Stark quote:
"There is no crisis," said Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Stark. "Much as President Bush manipulated intelligence to justify an unnecessary war in Iraq, his Administration is using these projections to rationalize dismantling Medicare. Though the program's outlook has worsened on President Bush's watch, there remains plenty of time to mend rather than end Medicare. If Republicans would agree to eliminate corporate pork for HMOs and require the Secretary to negotiate for lower drug prices, Medicare's financial outlook would improve dramatically."
Rep. Levin quote:
"As this year's report reminds us, Social Security faces a long-term challenge, not a crisis," said Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Levin. "Last year, the Bush Administration tried to create a false atmosphere of crisis to make people more receptive to Social Security privatization. The approach in this year's Trustee's report suggests the Bush Administration may be trying the same tactic with Medicare. If the Administration is again trying to weaken and replace guaranteed benefits, they will again meet a united wall of opposition from the public."
