WASHINGTON, D.C. - Heading into this week’s opening debate on the Senate Finance Committee’s health care bill, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Orlando) today unveiled 14 specific amendments he filed to the 220-page piece of legislation, according to Nelson's office.

One of Nelson’s amendments this weekend took center stage in the debate. On ABC’s Sunday morning news show “This Week” host George Stephanopoulos asked President Barack Obama whether he supported a Nelson amendment that’s aimed at preventing cuts to a large number of seniors on Medicare.

“George, I’m not going to be negotiating particular provisions of the bill sitting down with you here right now,” Obama answered.

The amendment in question is intended to protect hundreds of thousands of seniors who, since 2006, have signed up for Medicare Advantage, according to Nelson's office. More than 900,000 Florida seniors, or one-third of the state’s Medicare beneficiaries, have these plans. In Florida ’s Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, an average of 41 percent of all Medicare enrollees have them. The Finance Committee bill would make cuts in a program covering almost 400,000 seniors in just these three counties.

Nelson’s amendment is aimed at preventing cuts to people currently in Medicare Advantage, according to Nelson's office. But going forward, it would eliminate excessive reimbursements for Medicare Advantage insurers. “It’s the right thing to do for taxpayers in the long-term,” Nelson said. “And it’s the fair thing to do short-term for the seniors.”

Link to Complete Article in Florida Today - Senator Nelson offers 14 Amendments to Health Care Bill