[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 162 (Thursday, October 19, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page E 1979]]


     OPPOSITION TO H.R. 2425, THE MEDICARE PRESERVATION ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 1995

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2425, 
the Medicare Preservation Act of 1995. While cloaked in an innocent, 
nonthreatening title, when you peel off the title and clear the smoke 
and mirrors, what you find is that H.R. 2425 authorizes a legalized 
assault, and an all-out attack on the health of the Nation's seniors.
  The measure destroys our Nation's health care system for the 
elderly--Medicare--by cutting $270 billion--from health care services 
for the elderly--in order to pay for a tax cut for the wealthy. It is 
absolutely essential for the American people to be aware that this 
figure is--three times more--than the $89 billion which the medicare 
actuaries and the medicare trustees have determined is needed to ensure 
Medicare's solvency.
  The Republican measure forces the American people to needlessly pay 
more for less. Seniors' health care premiums will double. Gone are the 
limitations on the amount that doctors and hospitals can charge 
patients. In fact, the Republicans' balance billing provision allows 
providers to charge patients as much as they want, well beyond what 
Medicare pays.
  With respect to choice, seniors' choice of provider is seriously 
restricted. Seniors are forced through a maze of financial maneuvers 
under the Republican Medicare-Plus provisions. These provisions are 
specifically designed to make it increasingly difficult for seniors to 
remain with their current private doctor, forcing seniors into HMO-type 
health care systems.
  Mr. Speaker, where will our Nation's frail, poor, and sick elderly 
turn for care, when H.R. 2425 seriously erodes and threatens the very 
survival of the Nation's safety net hospitals. Uncompensated care will 
escalate.
  As if these destructive provisions were not enough, H.R. 2425 
provides fertile ground for fraud and abuse. Current provisions that 
are designed to prevent kickbacks and promote accurate billing are 
repealed. CBO estimates that this provision alone will cost the 
American people over $1 billion. These are but a few of H.R. 2425's 
life threatening provisions.
  Mr. Speaker, I know the standard of living and quality of life for 
the 1.6 million beneficiaries in my State, Ohio, will be drastically 
reduced. They certainly cannot absorb the over $8 billion that Ohio 
will lose under the Republican proposal. This 20--ballooning to 30--
percent cut will devastate Ohio's health care systems.
  Let me take just a moment to share with you just a snapshot of the 
worries and fears that haunt the seniors in my district as they see 
medicare being ripped apart just for the sake of providing a tax cut 
for the wealthy.
  Ms. Erline Chess is a 78-year-old widow who has been receiving home 
oxygen for nearly 10 years. She is concerned that the increased cost of 
care could put an end to her existence.
  Mr. Eli Strinic has had the same doctor for over 15 years and does 
not want to be forced into a HMO-type health care system. Mr. Strinic 
is proud of the fact that his doctor knows his medical history, and 
understands his health care needs.
  Mr. Speaker, I think that Ms. Anita Woodward, a health professional 
in my district sums up the situation most appropriately. She writes, 
``I fear not only the loss of quality. I worry that the sick will be 
forgotten, and patients that I see every day will really have to make 
the choice between the prescription blank and the grocery list.''
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge you and my colleagues to listen to the 
plea of America's seniors in particular, and the American people in 
general. Do not destroy medicare. Join me in voting ``No'' on H.R. 
2425.

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