[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 170 (Tuesday, October 31, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S16434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 BALANCED BUDGET RESOLUTION ACT OF 1995

 Mr. DOLE. I seek a clarification from my colleague, the 
esteemed chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr. Roth. It is my 
understanding that, in making these revolutionary and necessary changes 
to the Medicare program to preserve it for our Nation's seniors, we are 
concerned about the effects these changes may have on inner-city access 
to health care services. It is my understanding that it is the Finance 
Committee's intention to have ProPAC study the effects of these changes 
on the access and quality of care to the Medicare beneficiaries served 
by the Nation's urban hospitals who serve large numbers of Medicare 
patients. I understand from the chairman that whatever changes do occur 
in the Medicare Program, it is in the best interests of this Nation to 
ensure the health and financial viability of these inner- city 
hospitals so as not to undermine the health of the residents in those 
urban areas.
  Mr. ROTH. The gentleman, my good friend from Kansas, is correct. I 
share his concern for residents of the inner cities across the country. 
The Finance Committee does indeed intend for ProPAC to study the 
effects of these changes on inner city hospitals that provide the 
access to care for those areas.
  Mr. DOLE. It is, therefore, my understanding that the chairman of the 
Finance Committee intends to continue to address these concerns during 
the House-Senate conferencs by including language which would require 
ProPAC's annual report to Congress to include recommendations to ensure 
that beneficiaries served by the Nation's urban hospitals would 
maintain access and quality of care.
  In designing the study we would hope that ProPAC would also include 
recommendations on those hospitals that serve large populations of both 
Medicare and Medicaid patients.
  Mr. ROTH. The Senator is correct. As part of the Senate Finance 
Committee's deliberation with the House on the Medicare provisions of 
the conference, we intend to request, and ultimately, include that 
requirement in ProPAC's annual report to Congress.
  Mr. DOLE. I thank the chairman for his clarification and for sharing 
my concern about the health and well-being of our inner-city residents 
and the hospitals that serve their needs.


                           oregon health plan

  Mr. HATFIELD. Will my colleague from Delaware yield for the purpose 
of entering into a colloquy?
  Mr. ROTH. I would be happy to yield to the Senator from Oregon.
  Mr. HATFIELD. It is my understanding that additional funds have been 
made available and added to the Medicaid Program. As a result, Oregon 
will receive more funding during the 7 year budget period than 
originally expected under the Senate formula.
  Mr. ROTH. That is correct.
  Mr. HATFIELD. As my colleague knows, Oregon is currently in the 
middle of a 5-year Medicaid demonstration project known as the Oregon 
Health Plan which began in 1994. This plan has had an enormous effect 
on improving access to basic health care to low-income Oregonians. As a 
result of the cuts to Medicaid funding included in the original Finance 
Committee proposal, Oregon's ability to carry out this innovative plan 
was threatened. Is it your understanding that under the new Senate 
Medicaid formula, Oregon will receive more money than the State 
estimates it will need during the years 1996 through 1999 to operate 
the Oregon Health Plan under its current Medicaid waiver?
  Mr. ROTH. Yes.
  Mr. HATFIELD. I want to thank the Senator from Delaware and your 
staff for your assistance in ensuring that Oregon will be able to 
continue its innovative experiment. I truly believe other States can 
learn from Oregon's experience, and you have helped to guarantee that 
this will happen.

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