[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 161 (Wednesday, October 18, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H10298-H10299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                                MEDICARE
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Hastings] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as the Republicans in Congress 
move toward their goal of reducing the Federal deficit at any cost, 
they are about to approve deep, unprecedented cuts in the financing and 
delivery of health care to our Nation's elderly and poor. These cuts 
will be far deeper, and have far greater consequences than the proposed 
cuts in almost any other part of the budget, totaling $270 billion over 
7 years while financing a tax break for the wealthy.
  Since 1965, the Federal Government has provided a minimum standard of 
health care for all eligible citizens through the Medicare Program. 
Republicans in both the House and Senate want to end this national 
commitment by terminating the individual Federal entitlement to 
Medicare coverage. In my State of Florida, 2.6-million-plus older 
Americans will find that their health security is threatened by the GOP 
proposal. In fact, over the next 7 years, Florida stands to lose $28 
billion from Medicare.
  Mr. Speaker, I represent seven counties which cover central and south 
Florida. I am concerned that these draconian cuts will overwhelm my 
district, and the Nation. In Dade County alone, $4.8 billion in 
Medicare funding would be lost over a 7-year period. What does this 
meaning for recipients? It means that each of Dade's 285,900 
beneficiaries who want to stay with the current fee-for-service 
Medicare Program would face an average of $5,575 in additional out-of-
pocket costs over 7 years. For a couple, that figure rises to $11,150 
over the same 7-year period. Obviously seven is not a lucky number for 
Floridians. In fact, I don't think there are any lucky numbers in this 
debate except, of course, the $245 billion tax cut for the wealthy.
  You see, Mr. Speaker, regardless of their income or health, senior 
citizens who depend on Medicare will see their out-of-pocket-costs 
increase. This is pure egalitarianism. And in health care, there really 
is no such thing. No two people have exactly the same needs or need 
exactly the same care. The GOP proposal does not take into 
consideration particular merits, efficiencies, or needs of the 
recipients. Each senior will receive an equal share--each of which is 
underfunded. The majority in Congress wants to give our seniors a 
voucher and let them shop around. But how appealing is a market of 
lower reimbursement fees, higher premiums, and reduced benefits?
  Perhaps we, as a nation, should be looking at needs of people instead 
of numbers of dollars. The bottom line should not only apply to 
reductions, it should also reflect the effectiveness and efficacy of 
our seniors' needs. Mr. Speaker, Congress should eschew expensive and 
frequently ineffective efforts to rescue Medicare. But I'm not at all 
sure that turning Medicare over to the private insurance industry is 
the answer. Contrary to the majority's belief, in the private sector, 
all that glitters is not gold. And frankly, if this proposal is 
implemented, I'm afraid of how quickly our golden years will turn 
black.

  Republican cuts in Medicaid are equally disheartening. The formula 
used to develop the Republican plan is soaked in demographic denial--it 
ignores Florida's status as a growth State. Under the Republican 
proposal, the annual Medicaid growth rate would be capped at a 
percentage far below what the State would need to take care of its 
underserved and unserved population. The consequences of block granting 
Medicaid are bleak, with the combined effects being forced hospital 
closings and uninsured Floridians. Even worse, the determining formula 
is based on outdated figures which penalize growth States. Thus, in 
Florida, the total number of individuals on Medicaid will grow by 10 to 
12 percent a year. However, the Republican proposal will only allow 
Medicaid to grow at a rate 6 percent--about half the current 10 percent 
growth rate. Governor Chiles understands that cuts of this magnitude 
would harm Florida and agrees that  

[[Page H 10299]]

block granting Medicaid under this formula is a terrible idea.
  I strongly support efforts to improve efficiency, provide greater 
program flexibility and cost containment in Medicare and Medicaid 
proposals. However, a reasoned path toward these reforms is necessary 
and the Republican proposal to cut Medicare and Medicaid in order to 
cut taxes for affluent Americans is seriously flawed. So-called reform 
of this magnitude merits caution, careful debate, and deliberation. 
Let's not misdiagnose the financing and delivery of health care 
services to our Nation's elderly, disabled, and poor. The current 
proposal to block grant Medicaid and cap Medicare reimbursement will 
devastate millions of vulnerable Americans who look to the Federal 
Government to honor its long time commitment to public safety, 
security, and well-being.

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