[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 17, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SENIORS: FACES OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID

                                 ______


                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 17, 1995

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on behalf of the Nation's 
seniors who will be devastated by the GOP-destruction of the Medicare 
Program. Just this morning, I heard from a number of elderly in my 
district who are extremely concerned about the cuts to Medicare and 
Medicaid. In fact, Mr. Eli Strinic said that he would like the 
opportunity to be on the floor to talk to the Congress himself. Well, 
on his behalf, and that of Mrs. Beatrice Waltoncarr, and thousands of 
other seniors, I would like to take this opportunity to share their 
specific concerns with my colleagues here on the floor.
  Mr. Strinic and his wife are on Medicare. He has been seeing the same 
doctor for more than 15 years. In fact, he sees six different doctors. 
Mr. Strinic is extremely concerned about the proposed funding cuts and 
changes to Medicare.
  He expressed opposition to the way the GOP-proposal would indirectly 
force seniors into managed care. Mr. Strinic is concerned that the 
quality of care will be restricted and that the cuts in nursing home 
care provided under Medicaid will devastate his family. He spoke about 
how he was bothered by the fact that a friend of his was not allowed to 
see a specialist outside his HMO plan.
  With respect to Mrs. Beatrice Waltoncarr of Cleveland, OH, she spoke 
about the fact that the $182 bill cut in Medicaid will make it 
impossible for her to make it. Just two prescriptions cost her more 
than $100. In fact, while she was able to get the prescription to the 
drug store to have it refilled, she had to leave the medicine behind 
because she did not have the money to pay for it.
  Mr. Strinic's and Mrs. Waltoncarr's concerns mirror those of hundreds 
of thousands of other seniors who must depend on Medicare and Medicaid 
for their health care services, and who will be forced to pay more for 
less under the GOP-Medicare proposal.
  Our seniors must not be forced to worry about their health care 
coverage. They have worked long and hard to provide for their families 
and for a secure retirement--that security must not be taken away. They 
deserve better than that. For the sake of our seniors, let's not allow 
the GOP to destroy Medicare.

                          ____________________