[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 128 (Thursday, August 3, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H8314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE CONTRACT WITH AMERICA'S SENIORS

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, as many know, the Republicans seek to cut 
$270 billion from the Medicare program, and the Republicans claim that 
these cuts will not hurt senior citizens.
  But if health care costs continue to rise faster than the money 
budgeted for Medicare, then seniors will either get less services or 
pay more money. It is that simple.
  One plan that the Republicans are considering is a voucher plan which 
would force senior citizens to purchase their own health insurance. 
While Republicans claims this is giving seniors more choice, many 
forget the reason Medicare was enacted was because health insurance was 
so expensive. Prior to Medicare, most seniors did not have any medical 
insurance.
  What the Republicans are in effect saying is, ``Seniors, here is a 
small amount of money. Go out and buy health insurance that you will 
not be able to afford.''
  Now that Republicans are in power, they want to enact the largest 
cuts in Medicare history. The Republicans talk about reform, but they 
start with the cuts first. This is backwards, and it is also wrong.
  Republicans have forgotten the truly important contract, the contract 
with America's seniors.


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