Traditionally Medicare's assurance has been that for the elderly and persons with disabilities that they will not be alone when confronted with the full burden of their health care costs.

Liberal that I am I support health-care reform on its merits alone. My liberal blood boils for example when I read that half of the personal bankruptcies in this country are brought on in part by medical expenses.

We're saying no changes for Medicare for people above the age of 55. And in order to keep the promise to current seniors who've already retired and organized their lives around this program you have to reform it for the next generation.