Rep. Peters Condemns ‘Early Dismissal’; Demands Vote to Protect Medicare for Our Seniors

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) continued his effort to convince Speaker John Boehner that the House of Representatives should not adjourn at the end of next week, as has been widely reported. Today, Rep. Peters called for the passage of H.R. 1179, the bipartisan “Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act,” which ensures that seniors and their families are able to be reimbursed by Medicare for skilled nursing services.

“Medicare represents a contract between the government and generations of Americans who’ve worked a lifetime to pay; they have earned it,” Rep. Peters said. “For many of our seniors this program is a lifeline and needs to be strengthened and protected.

“Instead of sending Congress home for 7 weeks of campaigning, Speaker Boehner should allow a vote on legislation that expands necessary services, and protects Medicare for the over 50 million Americans, including around 456,000 San Diegans, who rely on it.”

Rep. Peters is a cosponsor of the “Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act.” Earlier this year, he led the successful effort to stop the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage. He spoke out on the floor of the House of Representatives to argue against these cuts. He has also voted to repeal the outdated and harmful sustainable growth rate (SGR) system for determining Medicare payments. For his efforts to protect senior’s benefits, Congressman Peters was named a Medicare Advantage Champion by the Coalition for Medicare Choices.

Background on the Fight Against ‘Early Dismissal’

As part of his fight against Speaker Boehner’s move to dismiss Congress early for a 7-week campaign break, Rep. Peters is highlighting legislative priorities that are awaiting action in Congress and should be addressed before the House adjourns through mid-November. This week, Congressman Peters focused on the need to pass the “Paycheck Fairness Act” to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work, the need to pass the “Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act” to make college more affordable and reduce the burden of lower student loan debt, and the need to pass the “Protect Women's Health from Corporate Interference Act of 2014” to protect women’s access to birth control and their ability to make their own health care decisions.

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