[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 179 (Monday, November 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H12138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              DO NOT BALANCE BUDGET BY MEDICARE INCREASES

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I was so proud to read over the weekend 
that the President has indicated that he will not sign a continuing 
budget resolution because of the increase in Medicare payments. I think 
it is really awful to think that the Republican leadership in this 
House has said that unless the President agrees to increase Medicare 
part B premiums, which would go from $46.10 per month to $53.50 per 
month, when they are scheduled under current law to be decreased to 
$42.50 per month. What the Republican leadership is saying is unless 
you sign this continuing resolution, we are going to make sure that the 
Medicare premiums go up.
  It is not fair to American senior citizens. Over the weekend I talked 
to a lot of senior citizens. They cannot afford the Medicare part B 
increase being proposed by the Republican leadership. It is not fair to 
hold the budget and the Government hostage to this Medicare increase. 
The President recognizes it. I commend him for the fact he refuses to 
sign this continuing resolution, primarily because of the Medicare 
increase.

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