WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today said the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a study of the Reid health care reform bill confirming the concerns of many, that the proposal will lead to increased premiums for Americans and rationed care for seniors through cuts to the Medicare program.

"According to the folks who will have to implement this legislation, this bill will not bring down costs, improve quality and increase access to care," Senator Roberts said, "And now, the Majority wants to expand an already insolvent Medicare program? This is not the kind of reform Americans had in mind with a $2.5 trillion price tag."

The report, by the CMS Office of the Actuary, found the following:

• The Reid bill will increase total health care spending;
• The report found that the new taxes on drugs, devices and insurance plans in the Reid bill would increase costs for consumers by $11 billion per year;
• Due to Medicare payment cuts in the bill, the report also finds that many physicians, hospitals and other providers could be forced to stop treating Medicare patients, rationing care for seniors.

Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. He is Co-Chairman of the Senate Rural Health Caucus.

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