[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 27, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              LIMITING SENIORS HEALTH CARE--NOT AN OPTION

  (Mr. HOBSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, with time drawing short this year for 
Congress to pass a health care bill, I wanted to share a word of 
caution from older Americans who are concerned that Congress will rush 
into something they do not want to do.
  The media reports that the Clinton health plan is dead--but we know 
it is not. Similar plans approved in committee would: Limit older 
Americans' choice of doctors, ration care, and limit current services.
  For example, to pay for expanded health care coverage for the 
uninsured, the bills approved in the House Education and Labor 
Committee and the Ways and Means Committee would tax benefits and 
drastically cut Medicare. The Clinton plan recommends cutting Medicare 
$124 billion.
  There is a better way. Older Americans do not have to settle for all-
or-nothing reforms that endanger current benefits. Proven reforms can 
be enacted now to: Control costs, expand access to health services, and 
guarantee health security.
  These reforms will not disrupt the high quality of health services 
available to most Americans today.
  Mr. Speaker, I support moving ahead with health care reform. This 
issue cannot be rushed. I will not support a plan that jeopardizes the 
quality of care for older Americans.

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