[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H8815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                FIXING MEDICARE WITHOUT CUTTING BENEFITS

  (Mr. WYNN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise because I think Americans are concerned 
that they need some straight talk on Medicare. The Medicare system is 
not bankrupt; do not be fooled. Yes, the Medicare system does need 
adjustment; that is what the trustees said in a Los Angeles Times 
article last week, and I think we on the Democratic side are willing to 
make adjustments.
  Mr. Speaker, the point is we can make adjustments, we can even make 
reasonable cuts, without affecting benefits, but on the Republican 
side, however, they want to cut benefits, and the fact is that seniors 
will be harmed when we cut benefits, and they will be harmed not to 
save Medicare or not to reduce the deficit, but specifically to give a 
tax break to the wealthy.
  Let us look at the figures. I say to my colleagues, ``If you are 
wealthy and make $300,000, you'll get a tax break of $20,000. If you 
make $200,000, you'll get a tax break of $11,000. But if you're an 
average American and make about $35,000 to $50,000, you'll only get 
$500. That's a tax break for the wealthy.''
  I will make a deal. Cut the tax break for the wealthy, and we can 
work out a reasonable Medicare Program.

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