[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 78 (Thursday, May 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1015-E1016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              SPEAKING OUT ON MEDICARE/MEDICAID BUDGET CUTS

                                 ______


                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 1995
  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my distinguished colleagues, 
Frank Pallone, Karen McCarthy, and Cal Dooley, for sponsoring this 
special order. I am pleased to join them for this candid discussion on 
proposed budget cuts to the Medicare and Medicaid Programs.
  The Republican plan calls for nearly $200 billion in cuts to Medicaid 
and other health initiatives. In my congressional district, and in 
communities throughout the United States, millions of Americans are 
served by the Medicare and Medicaid Programs. In spite of this critical 
need, in order to fund a tax cut for the wealthy, Republicans in 
Congress have placed Medicare and Medicaid on the chopping block. By 
taking this position, they are continuing to exhibit a callous 
disregard for those most vulnerable in our society--those in the dawn 
of life, our children; those in the twilight of life, the elderly; and 
those who are in the shadow of life--the sick, the needy and the 
handicapped.
  Medicaid is America's largest health care program for the poor, 
covering about 60 percent of all Americans, This year, Medicaid will 
provide basic health care coverage for over 36 million low-income 
children, mothers, elderly, and disabled Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, approximately 40 million Americans have no health 
insurance coverage. Without Medicaid, the number of uninsured would 
nearly double. This would result in needless suffering, and death and 
disease would increase. Further, we have not considered the drain this 
would create on the Nation's health care delivery system in treating 
those who are uninsured.
  Between 1988 and 1994, Medicaid was expanded to provide coverage for 
pregnant women and children. This was done in an effort to decrease the 
Nation's infant mortality rate, and, at the same time, increase 
childhood immunizations. The expansion signalled our commitment to 
guarantee our children a healthy start and thus, a brighter future. 
[[Page E1016]] 
  Mr. Speaker, the Republican leadership has promised to balance the 
budget by cutting $1 trillion from the budget over 7 years. This would 
finance a proposed $350 billion tax break for America's wealthiest 
citizens. In addition to its assault on Medicare and Medicaid, the 
Budget plan represents an assault on programs such as housing, summer 
jobs for our youth, education, job training, and energy assistance for 
our elderly.
  As Members of Congress, we must take a strong stance in defense of 
our Nation's seniors. It is estimated that the proposed $282 billion in 
cuts to Medicare would add more than $3,000 to seniors' health costs. 
In fact, if the cuts to Medicare become law, the average Medicare 
beneficiary is expected to pay approximately $3,500 more in health 
costs over the same 7-year period.
  According to the Urban Institute, the typical Medicare beneficiaries 
already dedicate a staggering 21 percent of their incomes to pay out-
of-pocket health care expenditures. While our Republican colleagues say 
that they aren't cutting Social Security, under their budget proposal 
for Medicare, seniors would see 40 to 50 percent of their cost-of-
living adjustment consumed by increases in Medicare cost sharing and 
premiums.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to my colleagues for allowing this 
meaningful discussion on a very important issue. I share their concern 
that we must protect Medicare and Medicaid from the Republican budget 
ax. We must not allow the Republican Party to balance the budget on the 
backs of those most in need. By the same token, we will not allow our 
seniors and the poor to be used as pawns in a tax give-away scheme for 
the rich.


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