On Monday, Gus held his second annual seniors health fair in New Port Richey which provided free health screenings to area seniors and gave him an opportunity to discuss health care reform with seniors one on one.

Over 200 seniors attended and were able to receive free health tests and screenings for diabetes, cholesterol, oxygenation, hearing, vision, blood pressure, skin cancer, mental health and dementia-related illnesses.  Additionally seniors were provided with nutrition counseling, information on prescription drug coverage, Alzheimer’s care needs, employment information and veterans' services.

Upon returning to Washington, Gus took to the House floor to share the thoughts of seniors who attended the fair:

Madam Speaker, in my state of Florida, millions of seniors rely on Medicare for their health care - including over 130,000 in my district alone.

On Monday, I held my annual seniors health fair which provided free health screenings to area seniors and gave me an opportunity to continue getting their input on heath care reform.

The overwhelming consensus from seniors in my district is that the Democrat’s health care reform proposals would lead to fewer choices, higher costs, and reduced quality.

Of particular concern to many seniors I spoke with was whether they would be able to keep their existing coverage.

The House bill calls for $163 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage which is wildly popular with Florida’s seniors. The cuts will result in health care providers dropping out of the program; undermining choice and jeopardizing the more than 50,000 seniors in the 9th district who rely on Medicare Advantage for their care.

As we consider health care reform, we must not harm the health care seniors already receive.