Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced legislation to prevent the recently announced 17 percent increase in Medicare Part B premiums from going into effect. "I believe it is terribly unfair to ask senior citizens to pay such a huge increase in their monthly premiums," Frank said. "We ought to make a commitment to the idea that medical care for the elderly is an important national need, with a substantial portion of the cost paid for by general revenues rather than simply making those who need the care pay extra."