[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 163 (Friday, October 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MEDICARE PRESERVATION ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2425) to 
     amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to preserve and 
     reform the Medicare Program:

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Chairman, I rise in recognition of the Gibbons-
Dingell-McDermott substitute to H.R. 2425, the Medicare Preservation 
Act of 1995. The substitute is consistent with the $90 billion figure 
which the Medicare actuaries and trustees have determined is needed for 
Medicare's solvency. The measure is a vivid statement in support of the 
fact that Medicare can be fixed with three times less than the amount 
called for by the Republicans. The measure also confirms that fact that 
our Republican colleagues' measure, H.R. 2425, is truly designed for 
reconciliation purposes and, in this case, to give a tax cut to the 
rich, the people who need it the least.
  Mr. Chairman, Medicare is critical to the solvency of the American 
families' budget. Neither seniors nor their families will be able to 
absorb the increased cost of health care that would result from the 
Republicans' $270 billion cut in Medicare.
  My colleagues, I wish that each of you could have heard our seniors 
at this morning's ``speak out'' telling their personal story of what 
living without Medicare would mean to the quality of their life. Bishop 
Marvin Johnson, a constituent of mine, told his story. He is a disabled 
senior suffering from diabetes. The medications which he requires 
already consume a large portion of his Social Security check. Without 
Medicare, he would be 1 of the over 41 million uninsured. Bishop 
Johnson also spoke about how the pain that his fellow seniors suffer 
just brings tears to his eyes.
  Mr. Chairman, it's a sad day when the Republicans pull out all the 
stops in a concentrated, mean spirited, effort to take away health care 
coverage from the Nation's seniors.
  It is just not right to force seniors on fixed income to pay more for 
less.
  It is not right to deny seniors their choice of provider.
  It is just not right to force seniors to have to choose between going 
to the doctors and buying food; or medicine and housing; or medical 
equipment and heat.
  It is just not right to destroy the quality of life for the Nation's 
elderly in order to pay for a tax cut for the wealthy.
  Mr. Chairman, the Republicans sneak attack on seniors is just wrong. 
Seniors have not even been allowed the opportunity to examine the 
Republicans' proposal or to present their concerns with respect to this 
massive life threatening legislative measure.
  In fact, we meet here today against a backdrop of no hearings at all, 
having been held on the over 400 page Republican proposal, H.R. 2425. 
The Republican proposal more than doubled in size just since last 
night--over 500 pages of provisions were added. Yet, we are voting on 
the measure here today.
  The size of the Republican document itself is an indication of the 
magnitude of the health care coverage that H.R. 2425 would take away 
from seniors. Citizens who have worked long and hard for the betterment 
of their country, to provide for their families, and to be able to put 
a little something away for a secure retirement, should not be used as 
the Republicans' pawn.
  The American people must not tolerate the Republicans blatant 
disregard for the health care needs of the elderly. Their assault on 
the elderly is unconscionable and inhumane.
  Mr. Chairman, when President Johnson signed the Medicare Program into 
law, he stated: ``No longer will older Americans be denied the healing 
miracle of modern medicine; no longer will illness crush and destroy 
the savings that they have so carefully put away over a lifetime so 
that they might enjoy dignity in their later years; and, no longer will 
this Nation refuse the hand of justice to those who have given a 
lifetime of service and wisdom and labor to the progress of this 
progressive country.''
  Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to join me in ensuring the 
stability of America's families. Vote ``no'' to H.R. 2425, the 
Republicans raid on Medicare.