[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 141 (Tuesday, September 12, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H8732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF HUGE MEDICARE CUTS

  (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, throughout the month of August, senior 
citizens, working families, and health care providers told me the 
majority's huge Medicare cuts would have devastating effects on them.
  Local hospitals in my district, which are already the most efficient 
in the Nation, said they would be forced to cut back crucial services 
or possibly close. In fact, one hospital administrator said, ``They 
would just mail the keys in.'' And, outraged seniors, looking at $3,600 
more in out-of-pocket expenses under the Gingrich Medicare plan, told 
me that they just could not afford any additional medical expenses.
  Why? They repeatedly asked me would the majority make these huge cuts 
in Medicare?
  And, I told them, over and over again, that the majority was taking 
an axe to Medicare, instead of a scalpel, for one reason, and for one 
reason only; to pay for one of the most outrageous, counterproductive, 
and unfair tax giveaways in American history.


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