[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 123 (Thursday, July 27, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H7807-H7808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   WORKING TOGETHER TO SAVE MEDICARE

  (Mr. KNOLLENBERG asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. As we have heard, Mr. Speaker, the Medicare 
anniversary is July 30. Thirty years it has been in existence. This 
vital program, while it is only 30 years old, faces a very strong 
financial crisis. I think everybody on both sides of the aisle knows 
that. The Medicare board of trustees have concluded that Medicare part 
A, the hospital insurance trust fund, will be bankrupt in 7 years. We 
cannot say it any more simply. We will be unable to pay those bills for 
seniors.
  The Republican majority will not let this happen and I am sure many 
of the Democrats do not want that to happen. We understand the 
importance of Medicare to seniors and stand ready to protect, preserve, 
and to strengthen this 

[[Page H 7808]]
program for current and future retirees. Unfortunately, many of our 
political opponents are trying to turn Medicare, the Medicare crisis, 
into a political issue. They continue to distort the idea of protecting 
Medicare by scaring seniors with imagined Medicare cuts, even though, 
as everybody knows, the benefits go per beneficiary from $4,800 to 
$6,700.
  I would just ask the Democratic leadership and the Democrats on the 
other side, please help us. Join up with us, roll up your sleeves, let 
us achieve both better care with more choices. Let us protect and 
strengthen Medicare.

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