[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 3, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H4516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REPUBLICAN MEDICARE CUTS

  (Mr. WARD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. WARD. Mr. speaker, I must rise today to speak out against the 
proposed reductions in Medicare spending which I feel will devastate 
our Nation's elderly.
  Under the guise of protecting and strengthening the Medicare trust 
fund, Republicans have proposed billions in reductions in future 
spending over the next 7 years. Republicans have pledged not to cut 
Social Security, interest on the debt, or defense in order to pay for 
their tax cuts, therefore, the only remaining source from which to cut 
is Medicare.
  The Medicare trust fund should be addressed appropriately as a long-
term problem and should take into careful consideration the needs of 
our Nation's seniors. This debate should take place apart from the 
budget debate and apart from efforts to salvage the cynical, public 
opinion poll-driven Contract for American campaign promises.
  Mr. Speaker, I call once again for compassion for the elderly of our 
society, another vulnerable, defenseless group which must be protected.


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