Chamber Urges Comprehensive Medicare Modernization

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce today announced its support for the Medicare reform proposals recently outlined by President George W. Bush.

"The president sent a strong message to Congress this week – that senior citizens should have the same choices that are widely available to members of Congress and in the private sector," said Bruce Josten, Chamber executive vice president. "The administration's plan to modernize Medicare allows seniors to choose their level of coverage and access to prescription drugs, while controlling the program's growing costs and ensuring Medicare is available for future generations."

The Chamber announced its support for the president's proposal as part of a forum it held on modernizing Medicare. That forum featured U.S. Sen. John Breaux (D-La.), U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-Conn.), former U.S. Sen. Robert Kerrey (D-Neb.) and former Congressional Budget Office Director Dan Crippen. Doug Badger, special assistant to the president for economic policy, delivered a keynote address that outlined the administration's Medicare proposal.

"Medicare needs to be modernized before the baby boomer generation's 77 million members become eligible to collect benefits," Josten said. "The president is correct to call on Congress to address this growing problem and in his call to integrate the private sector into this important program."

The Chamber is leading a coalition of companies and associations representing employer interests in support of efforts to enact comprehensive Medicare reform legislation that modernizes the 37-year-old program, covers prescription drugs and ensures the program's viability for current and future generations.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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