Sen. Rick Scott to Florida Delegation: Protect Medicare and Object to Pelosi’s California Payback
March 18, 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter to Florida’s Congressional Delegation urging them to quickly pass a simple, clean bill to prevent cuts to Medicare triggered by Biden and the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion spending package that dedicates less than 10% of funding to fighting COVID-19 and less than 1% to vaccines. He’s urging the delegation to reject Speaker Pelosi’s proposed fix, which includes an unfair bailout to her state of California.
Dear Colleague,
The $1.9 trillion “COVID” spending package passed by Congress this month was a massive, partisan bill that dedicated less than 10% of its funds to fighting COVID-19 and will raise our debt to a staggering $30 trillion. With no plan to pay for the bill, we are simply mortgaging the future of our grandchildren and spending ourselves into oblivion. What’s more, because of the partisan process Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer used to pass the $1.9 trillion package, Florida’s seniors and retirees are now facing potential cuts to Medicare.
The foolishness of President Biden, Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer has created a problem that Congress now has to fix. This massive spending now requires Congress to waive statutory “pay-as-you-go” or PAYGO requirements, which offset deficit increases with automatic spending reductions in programs like Medicare. If we don’t, Medicare will experience a $30 billion cut and Florida’s seniors and retirees will suffer. We represent the millions of Floridians benefitting from Medicare, and it is our responsibility to take smart and effective action to guarantee the program continues seamlessly, without adding to Congress’ reckless and wasteful spending spree.
I oppose any cuts to Medicare benefits, and it would be in the best interest of Floridians if we passed a clean bill that quickly and simply solves the current issue we now face. The last thing Congress should do is pass a bill with extraneous measures that adds more spending to our already ballooning deficit and includes a bailout for California. Sadly, the current proposed “fix,” H.R. 1868, does exactly that. As written, the bill allows California’s Disproportionate Share Hospitals to claim 175% of uncompensated care payments, while other states can only claim 100% of uncompensated care. This is an unfair bailout and special treatment exclusively for Speaker Pelosi’s state.
We have to get serious about the fact that Washington is on a path of economic self-destruction, and we must start taking actions to establish a sustainable fiscal future. We can do so with a clean PAYGO waiver.
I am urging you to stand together to oppose this new Pelosi payoff that creates more unpaid-for debt and gives special treatment to California. The House should pass a clean bill that protects our seniors. This current bill is more of the same from Speaker Pelosi, and it would be a disservice to Floridians if the bill is allowed to pass as it is drafted.
Sincerely,
Rick Scott
United States Senator
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