Trustee Tom Saving News Today

Medicare Trustee Tom Saving estimates that the cost of theadditional obligations in the Senate Medicare bill, such as theprescription drug benefit, is equivalent to a two-thirds increasein the $3.8 trillion public debt.

Members of Congress are growing concerned that the Medicare billsnow being considered in conference will constitute a huge newun-funded liability - equivalent to a two-thirds increase in the$3.8 trillion in public debt. Neither the President nor responsiblelawmakers should accept a Medicare bill that adds to the un-fundedliabilities of Medicare and does not contain serious reform. Reformoptions detailed within.