Health - Medicare

Medicare

Introduction | Statements and Letters | CRS Reports | Helpful Links | Member Reports

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers over 35 million elderly Americans and over 6 million permanently disabled younger Americans. Any American 65 years or older, regardless of income or health conditions, as well as certain individuals with disabilities or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) qualify for Medicare. Medicare has three main parts - Part A, which covers inpatient hospital care, Part B, which covers outpatient medical expenses, and the recently ennacted prescription drug benefit, Part D. Medicare has cost sharing requirements and deductibles, does not cover long term care, and nine out of ten beneficiaries have supplemental insurance. Medicare was first ennacted when over half of American seniors did not have hospital insurance and has become one of our nation's most popular programs.

Rep. Waxman has been deeply involved in efforts to preserve and protect this valuable program for the millions of Americans who depend on its services. Through his position as Ranking Member of the House Government Reform Committee, he has investigated issues such as the troubled and widely discredited Medicare drug card program, sharp increases in Medicare premiums, conflicting data on the Medicare cost estimates, and financial protections for Medicare beneficiaries. Additionally, Rep. Waxman has been very concerned about the current state of the new Medicare prescription drug plan, under which drug prices are too high and rising fast. He recently released three reports on this topic through the minority staff of the House Government Reform Committee.

In 2006, Rep. Waxman joined other leading House Democrats to introduce the "Medicare for All Act", which would make healthcare coverage available to every American by expanding the Medicare program to those under age 65. This legislation would give citizens the option of choosing health insurance coverage through Medicare or through any of the plans available to Members of Congress, the President of the United States, and Federal employees.

Rep. Waxman continues to work hard to make Medicare affordable, accessible, and effective. Below you will find links to information on his efforts and on the program in general.

Notice to Constituents Regarding the Medicare Physical Therapy Cap and Assistance with Medicare's Part D Prescription Drug Plan

Statements and Letters
A chronology of Rep. Waxman's work on Medicare through his position as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Government Reform.

CRS Reports
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is part of the legislative branch of the federal government. CRS, which is a department of the Library of Congress, works exclusively as a nonpartisan analytical, research, and reference arm for Congress. The CRS mission is to support an informed national legislature. A selection of written reports prepared by CRS regarding Medicare is available in this section.

Helpful Links
A list of websites that may be of assistance in learning more about Medicare policy and programs.

Medicare Member Reports
Reports prepared by the Special Investigations Division of the House Committee on Govenment Reform for Members of Congress and their constituents regarding Medicare premiums and Medicare drug cards.

Introduction | Statements and Letters | CRS Reports | Helpful Links | Member Reports