[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 156 (Tuesday, October 10, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H9749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE REAL REPUBLICAN PLAN TO SAVE MEDICARE

  (Mr. EWING asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, among the many myths that Democrats are 
perpetuating about the GOP plan to save Medicare, the biggest is that 
the Republicans want to cut Medicare. This is simply not the case. The 
Republican plan actually increases individual benefits from an annual 
$4,800 to $6,700 by the year 2002, and increases Medicare spending from 
$161 billion this year to $274 billion.
  Two years ago it was explained to Congress that today, and I quote, 
``Today Medicaid and Medicare are going up three times the rate of 
inflation. We propose to let it go up at two times the rate of 
inflation. This is not a cut.''
  This quote is not from a Republican. This is from the President, 
President Clinton.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage both sides of the aisle to negotiate this 
and come together. Members should recognize that Medicare needs to be 
improved and saved.
  You see, Mr. Speaker, at least some Democrats understand basic 
mathematics. At least some of them know that their wild claims about 
Republican efforts to save Medicare are false. Democrats, instead of 
scaring people, should roll up their sleeves to preserve and strengthen 
Medicare.

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