[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H4678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                MEDICARE

  (Ms. VELAZQUEZ asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to take strong exception to the 
Republicans' proposed massive Medicare and Medicaid cuts. These cuts 
will hurt the most vulnerable of Americans, our children, our seniors, 
the poor and the disabled.
  Large reductions in Medicare payments will mean increased out-of-
pocket costs for seniors. On average seniors will have to come up with 
another $3,000 for medical expenses once the Republican plan goes into 
full effect.
  The Republican plan also puts the squeeze on urban and rural health 
centers, institutions that rely heavily upon Medicare reimbursement.
  The end result would be hospital closures and declining health among 
poor and working families. Why are they cutting this program? In order 
to fund corporate welfare programs and tax cuts for the 1 percent of 
the families who control 40 percent of the assets in this country. That 
is right, for the wealthiest Americans.
  Let us stop this charade and consider real health care reform.

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