[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 115 (Monday, July 17, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H7015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              ON MEDICARE

  (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, like the many seniors who have contacted 
me, I am shocked that the Republican budget slashes Medicare by $270 
billion.
  It now appears that Republicans are preparing to end Medicare as we 
know it. Recent media reports indicate that they want to privatize this 
valuable program, as they did when it was enacted in 1965.
  Sadly, the Republicans are hiding their plans for reforming Medicare. 
The current legislative schedule allows for only a few days in 
September to introduce, review, and vote on their proposed changes. If 
my colleagues across the aisle have such wonderful ideas for ensuring 
the solvency of Medicare and the health of their seniors, why are they 
keeping them a secret? What are they afraid of?
  It appears that they are trying to sneak their radical and extreme 
cuts by the American public. I can understand why they would be 
inclined to do so, given the fact that they are also pushing a $240 
billion tax cut for the wealthy.
  Raiding Medicare to pay for this unwise tax cut will inflict 
unacceptable pain on this Nation's seniors. Out-of-pocket expenses for 
seniors will rise by $850 by the year 2002. These cuts will also 
greatly diminish the ability of older Americans to access quality care.
  Seniors have a right to know what is in store for Medicare, 
especially if they are being asked to bear skyrocketing premiums and 
limited access to care to help finance tax breaks for the wealthy.
  I call upon my Republican colleagues to deliver a full and open 
debate on how best to improve and strengthen Medicare. I also urge them 
to join me in rejecting the unfair tax break/Medicare cut tradeoff 
being advanced.


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