[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 162 (Thursday, October 19, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H10312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ONLY IN WASHINGTON IS AN INCREASE A CUT

  (Mr. BILBRAY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, it is really sad that we have try to 
reinforce the public's perception of lack of trust in Washington with 
the MediScare tactics. Only in Washington could a 42- to 45-percent 
increase be called a cut.
  Now, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle may say that may be 
working with words and may be working with numbers. Per person we are 
talking about going from $4,800 to $6,700, a $1,900 increase.
  Now, any senior knows if their insurance company told them ``We are 
going to increase your rates by $1,900, and that is a cut, a slashing 
of your rates,'' the senior would say, ``You are crazy.''
  If you want to know a special interest group that is driving this 
Member, my seniors from AARP, 20 members have been advising me on this 
item. Their advice is why do we allow more than the rate of inflation? 
We are proposing twice the rate of inflation, Mr. Speaker. Twice the 
rate of inflation is what our projections are.

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