[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 3 (Friday, January 5, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S98]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ROBB:
  S. 1516. A bill making appropriations to the Department of Health and 
Human Services for retirement pay and medical benefits for commissioned 
officers of the Public Health Service for the fiscal year ending 
September 30, 1996; to the Committee on Appropriations.


 RETIRED COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE LEGISLATION

 Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I introduce legislation which would 
fund retirement and medical benefits through September 30, 1996 for the 
retired commissioned officers of the Public Health Service.
  I do not know whether many of my colleagues know this, Mr. President, 
but retired PHS commissioned officers have not received their 
retirement pay since our first continuing resolution expired on 
December 15, 1995. While retired members of the Federal Civil Service 
have thankfully been able to receive their retirement checks during 
this time period, the benefits of retired PHS commissioned officers 
come through a direct appropriation contained in the Labor/HHS 
appropriations bill, a bill which we all know has not yet been approved 
by this body.
  The roughly 3,600 beneficiaries of this program should not be victims 
of our budget battles, Mr. President. They served their country for 
many years and their country has made a commitment to them. This bill 
will allow us to meet the commitment.
                                 ______