[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 130 (Saturday, August 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          WORKING TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN MEDICARE

                                 ______


                            HON. JACK QUINN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 4, 1995
  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to 
inform my constituents about the House of Representatives' plan to 
preserve, protect, and strengthen Medicare.
  Unfortunately, some individuals and groups are misrepresenting the 
facts, thus causing unnecessary anguish and apprehension among our 
nation's seniors. In my district in Western New York, I have seen 
firsthand the anxiety which such statements have caused.
  According to the Presidential Medicare Board of Trustees, the 
Medicare hospital insurance trust fund (part A) will begin running out 
of money as early as next year--spending $1 billion dollars more than 
it takes in--and will be completely bankrupt by the year 2002.
  By law, Medicare is prohibited from making payments for hospital or 
other health services if its reserves are depleted. That means if 
nothing is done now to preserve Medicare, 34 million seniors will be in 
jeopardy of losing their vital health care coverage.
  I am committed to saving the program for all Americans, that includes 
my mother, who currently is on the program, and my daughter, who will 
be on it someday. If Congress does not act to save Medicare, the 
consequences 7 years from now will be catastrophic for all Americans.
  Preserving Medicare will not require cuts in the program. Rather, 
Medicare spending will continue to increase, more than private-sector 
health care spending increases and general inflation rate.
  The reason Medicare is in such financial difficulty is that it has 
been growing at a rate of 10 and 11 percent a year. If we can slow the 
growth to between 5 and 7 percent annually we can save Medicare from 
bankruptcy. Right now, the Federal Government spends $4,800 per person 
per year in Medicare. If we do not make the changes necessary to save 
the program now, there will be zero dollars available in the year 2002.
  The plan makes Medicare financially safe and secure both now and in 
the future by simplifying the system and making it easier for seniors 
to use and understand it. In addition, it gives seniors the same right 
that Members of Congress have to choose their health care plan.
  In our efforts to preserve, protect and strengthen the Medicare 
Program, we must eliminate fraud and abuse. We are working with doctors 
and hospitals to make this happen.
  I urge all of my constituents, and all Americans to play a part in 
the effort to strengthen Medicare. I welcome all comments and 
suggestions regarding my effort to save this important program.


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