[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 20, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H9250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON CHANGES TO THE MEDICARE SYSTEM

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, after months of hiding their Medicare plan 
from public view, House Republicans are going to give the American 
people a look, but, be careful not to blink--you might miss it.
  Republicans have announced that they will only have a single day of 
hearings to discuss their plan to radically dismantle the health care 
system that serves 37 million American seniors. So far this year, 
Republicans have treated the public to weeks of politically-charged 
hearings on Whitewater, Waco, and Ruby Ridge. But, when it comes to the 
largest cut in the history of Medicare, they cannot find the time on 
the schedule.
  So therefore, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration 
in the House of House Resolution 221, insisting that adequate time be 
set aside for public hearings on changes to the Medicare system 
proposed to be included in the reconciliation bill. The American people 
deserve open, and thorough hearings on the GOP Medicare plan. Two 
hundred Democrats have cosponsored a resolution calling for 4 weeks of 
hearings. If Republicans have nothing to hide, they should agree to let 
the American people judge their proposal on its merits.
  Mr. GEKAS. Objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Knollenberg). Under the Speakers' 
guidelines, the gentlewoman will not be recognized, because that 
resolution has been referred to the Committee on Rules and not cleared 
for consideration.


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