[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 128 (Thursday, August 3, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H8313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    REPUBLICANS ARE SAVING MEDICARE

  (Mr. TORKILDSEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TORKILDSEN. Madam Speaker, it is unanimous. The President and his 
trustees agree, and both parties in both Houses agree: Medicare is 
going broke. If the Congress chooses to do nothing, the status quo will 
destroy the Medicare system. But we can fight to improve the system, 
Madam Speaker, so that current and future generations will have access 
to health care.
  This past week, I visited several senior centers in my district. The 
Americans I spoke with understood that change in the current system is 
necessary. Our seniors are trapped in a system designed for the 1960's, 
not the 1990's and beyond.
  Madam Speaker, the facts are straightforward. Under the House-passed 
budget, spending on Medicare will increase from $4,800 per recipient 
now to over $6,700 per recipient over the next 7 years. Doing nothing 
means Congress is abdicating its responsibility.
  Madam Speaker, every person and every idea is needed to resolve the 
Medicare crisis. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
join together. If Medicare goes broke in 2002, it is going to affect 
all of us, regardless of party affiliation or age. Let us work, 
preserve and protect Medicare.

                          ____________________