[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 190 (Thursday, November 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                MEDICARE

                                 ______


                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 30, 1995

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I was proud to cast a historic vote to save 
Medicare for current and future beneficiaries. This is a serious effort 
to deal with a tough problem. We simply cannot sustain Medicare's 
current astronomical growth.
  Our plan gives seniors new choices. Now, they will have the same 
access to health care their children and grandchildren have--whether it 
is managed care, preferred provider networks, medical savings accounts, 
provider services, or traditional fee for service.
  Each and every senior will have all of these health care providers 
competing for their business. Once market forces do their magic, 
seniors will find they have better health care at less cost. For the 
first time, beneficiaries will be able to take advantage of new, 
advanced technologies that previously were unavailable under the old 
Medicare. Medicare-plus will provide seniors with new choices. Each 
year, beneficiaries will receive information outlining all of their 
choices. Every plan offered must be at least as good as the current 
Medicare.
  Mr. Speaker, there is only one plan to save Medicare. The Republican 
plan. The plan offered by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle 
is simply a Band-Aid. The substitute they have proposed reveals, yet 
again, that Democrats are willing to let Medicare go bankrupt. It is 
not an alternative for seniors who rely on Medicare now or in the 
future.
  Medicare needs a big fix, not a Band-Aid.

                          ____________________