[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H5267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          LET'S SAVE MEDICARE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Weldon] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss one of 
the most important issues facing my constituents in east-central 
Florida.
  It is an undisputed fact that Medicare is running out of money and 
will be bankrupt in just 5 years.
  For me, this is not a partisan issue. This is a personal issue. I am 
a doctor and my patients depend on Medicare. I have a father who is 
dependent on Medicare.
  I know the value of this program for my patients and my family, and I 
am 100 percent committed to finding a solution to protect Medicare for 
current and future beneficiaries.
  As a medical doctor I've been disappointed that some have sought to 
use Medicare to gain political advantage. This is not a political 
issue.
  The Medicare trust fund began going broke last year, it is already $5 
billion in debt this year, and will be completely broke in 5 years. We 
don't have time for politics as usual.
  I hear some talk about cuts in Medicare. There are no cuts in our 
plan.
  The plan I voted for increases Medicare spending from $5,200 per 
person in 1996 to $7,000 per person in 2002. That's an $1,800 increase 
in Medicare spending.
  We do want to spend smarter. We do want to attack waste, fraud, and 
abuse. We want to give seniors choices in health care.
  I urge those who have made this a partisan issue, to look beyond 
partisan politics and come to the table to work with us to do what is 
right for our seniors and future Medicare beneficiaries.
  Mr. Speaker, I call for bipartisan efforts to restore and preserve 
our Medicare beneficiaries.

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