[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 9, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H4555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                              {time}  1415
                         HAPPY TALK ON MEDICARE

  (Mr. BONIOR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, don't be fooled by all the Republican happy 
talk on Medicare.
  They're not cutting Medicare in order to fix the system.
  The Republicans are cutting Medicare for one reason and one reason 
only: to pay for their tax cuts for the wealthy.
  You see, the Republicans made an amazing discovery.
  To pay for their tax cuts, they cannot just cut student loans and 
child nutrition programs and cops on the beat.
  Even though they are cutting each and every one of those things it 
still leaves them about $300 billion short.
  So, now they're targeting Medicare.
  And what is this going to mean to the average senior citizen?
  It is going to mean higher copayments, higher premiums, less choice 
of doctors and it is going to cut into Social Security COLA's.
  And this isn't just going to affect senior citizens.
  Where is the average working family going to come up with the extra 
money to care for their parents and grandparents?
  Mr. Speaker, Medicare is not a cash cow for tax cuts.
  It is a sacred trust between the Government and the people.
  It is time we keep that promise.

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