[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 162 (Thursday, October 19, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H10314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A LITTLE EARLY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

  (Mr. SCHUMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, it was like a carnival yesterday here in 
the House. Step right up, step right up, called Barker Newt Gingrich as 
he called in the special interests for their cut of the pie in an 
effort to save this devastating Medicare program.
  In fact, the Speaker said it was ``a little like Christmas 
shopping'', as the GOP started selling off parts of the Medicare 
package to special interests.
  For everyone else Christmas shopping starts the day after 
Thanksgiving, but for the AMA, the pharmaceutical companies, the 
nursing home operators, Christmas shopping started this week. They got 
their goodies while the average senior paid: No reimbursement for 
nausea medicine after chemotherapy. Increases in copayments for loved 
ones in nursing homes.
  How is that going to devastate families throughout America?
  Well, the GOP should know something. Yes, they can make a lot of 
deals and do a lot of trading to save a bad package. They will win the 
vote, but they will lose the war.

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