[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 137 (Wednesday, September 6, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H8543-H8544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              REPUBLICANS TAKING THE CARE OUT OF MEDICARE

  (Mr. ENGEL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my mother, Seroy 
Engel, and the millions of mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers 
throughout our Nation whose lives depend on Medicare. In the next few 
weeks this legislative body is going to have to make some tough 
decisions. The question will be will we let the Republicans take the 
care out of Medicare. I say, ``No.''

[[Page H 8544]]

  In 1965, Medicare was established to demonstrate that this Nation 
cares about its senior citizens, that it cares whether or not they 
receive medical treatment, and, ultimately, that it cares whether they 
live or die. In 1965, only 46 percent of America's senior citizens had 
health coverage. Today, 99 percent of American seniors are covered for 
medical expenses.
  Today we are at a crossroads. We must decide if we will break our 
sacred oath to millions of Medicare recipients by forcing them to pay 
more for less care, wait longer for personal care, and have less 
control over who provides that care.
  There is a fundamental question that we must ask ourselves when the 
Republican leadership asks you to cut $270 billion from Medicare to pay 
for a tax break for the wealthy: Will we vote to take the CARE out of 
Medicare? Will we vote to take the care out of Medicare?
  That, Mr. Speaker, is the question we must all ask ourselves.
  This Congressman says ``No.''

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