[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 12, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H6837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     DEMOCRATS CARE ABOUT MEDICARE

  (Mr. STUPAK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, as the 30th anniversary of the creation of 
the Medicare Program approaches, I am outraged that the Republicans are 
trying to force the American public to swallow devastating cuts to the 
Medicare Program, cuts that will completely gut the Medicare Program.

                              {time}  1020

  Every Medicare beneficiary who receives part B Medicare coverage now 
pays a monthly premium of $46.10. But under the Republican plan, the 
part B premium will go to $110 per month. That is how they get more 
money into the Medicare system--they make you pay more.
  The proposed cuts to the Medicare Program go beyond higher premiums 
for Medicare recipients, those whose modest household budgets and 
Social Security checks are already stretched to the breaking point. As 
a direct result of the cuts to the Medicare Program, reimbursement 
rates will drop, so doctors and hospitals will have to absorb a greater 
share of the health care costs. These costs will then be passed on to 
the Medicare recipients. In addition, fewer health care services will 
be offered to senior citizens and working families. Some doctors will 
not be able to accept patients, and some hospitals in rural areas will 
have to close their doors completely. The bottom line is these 
Republican cuts to Medicare will drive senior citizens and low income 
families into a second-class health care system.

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