Statement By RNC Communications Director (on Medicare)

Republican National Committee ^ | September 8, 2004

[RWR8189]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christine Iverson
202-863-8614

Washington, DC–Republican National Committee Communications Director Jim Dyke issued the following statement regarding a press conference held today by Senate Democrats attacking the President:

“The misleading rhetoric from John Kerry's surrogates does not begin to match the reality of Sen. Kerry's voting record, or their own records for that matter.

“The same U.S. Senators -- Dayton, Kennedy, Kerry -- who are attacking the Medicare premium increases actually voted for the law that requires these increases.

“These flailing Democrat attacks do nothing to change the fact that John Kerry has repeatedly opposed efforts to limit the medical liability lawsuits that raise health care costs by as much as $108 billion dollars each year. If the Democrats were serious about controlling the cost of health care they'd call on Sen. Kerry to take the side of patients and doctors rather than the trial lawyers who have given him more money than any senator over the past 15 years.”

KERRY’S MEDICARE PREMIUM HYPOCRISY

Medicare Premiums That John Kerry Is Attacking Are Mandated By Formula That John Kerry Voted For

Kerry Is Attacking President Bush For Medicare Premiums Going Up 17 Percent. “Kerry, also campaigning in the battleground state of Ohio, accused Bush of reneging on a pledge he made Thursday in his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. ‘On the day after saying, “We're going to strengthen Medicare,” Medicare premiums go up for senior citizens 17% -- the largest increase in Medicare premiums in 40 years,’ Kerry said at a rally in Akron. His remark provoked a round of boos from his crowd, and Kerry then invoked two of the corporations that for Democrats are shorthand for the claim that the president's policies unduly favor big business.” (Peter Wallsten and Matea Gold, “Medicare’s Well-Being Suddenly A Key Issue,” Los Angeles Times, 9/5/04)

Kerry Voted For Balanced Budget Act Of 1997 Conference Report. Adoption of the conference report on the bill to cut projected entitlement spending by $140 billion, establishing a balanced budget by fiscal 2002. The bill would reduce Medicare funding by $115 billion; increase health insurance options available to Medicare beneficiaries beyond fee-for-service programs; and permit up to 390,000 Medicare beneficiaries to establish tax-free medical savings accounts. The bill also would include a $24 billion block grant program to help states improve health coverage for uninsured children, funded in part by a federal tobacco tax increase of 15 cents per pack over five years, and restore Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid benefits to certain legal immigrants. (H.R. 2015, CQ Vote #209: Adopted 85-15: R 43-12; D 42-3, 7/31/97, Kerry Voted Yea)

Balanced Budget Act Of 1997 Created Formula That Resulted In 17 Percent Increase In Medicare Premiums This Year. ‘‘The Secretary, during September of each year, shall determine and promulgate a monthly premium rate for the succeeding calendar year that is equal to 50 percent of the monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over, determined according to paragraph (1), for that succeeding calendar year.’’ (PL 105-33, Sec. 4571, 8/5/97)

On Senate Floor In 1997, Kerry Praised Balanced Budget Act As “A Day Of Vindication For Americans.” “This legislation before us now incorporates many of the provisions I and others on this side of the aisle fought to have included. For that reason, this is a day of vindication for Americans who believe, as Democrats have proven, that it is vital to balance the Federal budget and extend health care to children, provide broader educational opportunities, ensure the future for our senior citizens and safeguard our environment.” (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 7/31/97, p. S8393)

Earlier This Year, Kerry Claimed Balanced Budget Act Of 1997 Strengthened Medicare:

Claimed Law Did Not Result In Higher Premiums, “Made Medicare Whole Until The Year 2029.” KERRY: “Tim – I wish I had the power to press this button and put up on the screen what you said, because back in 1997, on November 9, you sat with Bill Clinton, and what you said to Bill Clinton is – you said, ‘Mr. President, by the year 2001 Medicare is going to be bankrupt and you’re going to have to raise the retirement age. You’re going to have to raise the premiums and you’re going to have to cut the benefits.’ That’s what you said. Guess what, Tim? He didn’t do it. We didn’t do it. And we made Medicare whole until the year 2029.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” 4/18/04)

Called Law “Historic, Bipartisan” And Said It “Extended The Life Of Medicare.” “And in 1997 we finished the job by passing an historic bipartisan balanced budget agreement which not only balanced the budget for the first time since 1969, but extended the life of Medicare, expanded health care for children, and cut taxes for the middle class of America.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., 4/7/04)

[nonliberal]

Just get the government out of it already!!!