[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 148 (Thursday, September 21, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H9368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRUE INTENT OF THE REPUBLICANS' PLANS FOR MEDICARE

  (Mr. RICHARDSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, how can we preserve, protect, and save 
Medicare, as the Republicans claim to do, by cutting $270 billion out 
of Medicare and drastically increasing premium fees and payroll taxes 
for 37 million elderly Americans? We cannot do it, and that is why 
Republicans are hiding the details of their Medicare plan and holding 
no hearings. I ask, can you blame them?
  Mr. Speaker, they do not want to talk about it. They are setting up 
the American people and the Congress for a railroading of their plan in 
less than 10 days, hoping everyone will forget. They hope that no one 
will know the true intent of this plan, and that is to give a tax cut 
for America's wealthiest.
  Mr. Speaker, that is not right. Let us be open. Let us see the light 
of day of this Medicare plan, and let us debate it openly.
  Democrats have an alternative, and Democrats want to protect 
Medicare.

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