Statement by Tommy G. Thompson Secretary of Health and Human Services

On Medicare Legislation

I commend the conferees for reaching an agreement in principle on Medicare legislation to provide more choices and better benefits to America's seniors, and I look forward to working with the full Congress so we can get the job done in the coming days.

We must come together and take advantage of this opportunity to finally deliver modern medicine in a modern way for Medicare beneficiaries. That includes access to preventive care, new protection against high out-of-pocket costs for extended hospital stays, and a prescription drug benefit.

The members of the conference committee performed exceptional work on a complex issue. They have come up with a bipartisan bill, and we can't let partisan politics derail this legislation. We urge Congress to finish the job and provide seniors with prescription drug coverage, better benefits and more choices in health care.

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Last Revised: November 15, 2003

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