[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 93 (Thursday, June 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      MEDICARE CUTS ARE A BAD IDEA

                                 ______


                           HON. SHERROD BROWN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, June 7, 1995
  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, there is an old country and western 
song that goes, ``She got the gold mine, and I got the shaft.'' The 
Republican budget would give the gold mine to wealthy special interests 
and give the shaft to America's elderly--$300 billion in tax breaks, 
$300 billion in Medicare cuts.
  The Republicans indignantly cry that these are not really cuts, they 
are only slowing the growth of Medicare. Tell that to the literally 
millions of people who depend on Medicare in Ohio, and Pennsylvania, 
and California, and all over this country, who will have $3,500 more 
taken out of their pocket over the next 7 years in higher premiums, 
deductibles, and copayments. Tell those people that these are not 
really cuts.
  The cuts in services which will pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest 
Americans, tax breaks for special interests, tax breaks for people who 
do not need these kinds of tax breaks--to people with the highest 
income in this country.
  Mr. Speaker, I support Medicare and ensuring that older Americans 
have access to health care services when they need them from the doctor 
of their choice. As Republicans move to make these cuts in Medicare, 
they are talking about rationing health care and limiting seniors' 
ability to choose their doctor.
  We should reject that, Mr. Speaker. We should reject this kind of 
thinking. It is not good for America's elderly. It is not good for the 
American people.


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