[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 29, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H5572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSSING SUPPORT FOR A BIPARTISAN SOLUTION TO SAVE MEDICARE BEFORE 
                        IT GOES BANKRUPT IN 2001

  (Mr. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support 
for a bipartisan solution to save Medicare before it goes bankrupt in 
2001.
  Frankly, I've been surprised by the scare tactics and demagogurey by 
the other side.
  They know Medicare is going bankrupt, but they would rather attack 
Republicans than fix the problem.
  Despite the false claims and disinformation being perpetuated by 
Washington union bosses, the truth is that our plan would increase 
Medicare spending from $4,900 per beneficiary in 1996 to $7,100 per 
person in 2002. That's a $2,200 per senior increase in Medicare 
spending.
  Our plan requires us to spend smarter. It cracks down on waste, 
fraud, and abuse.
  For me, this is not a partisan issue--it is a personal issue. I have 
loved ones who depend on Medicare. Like so many other American seniors, 
my grandmother, who still teaches school, needs Medicare as a safety 
net.
  So lets end the partisan sniping. Saving Medicare will not be easy; 
it is a task that will require wisdom, courage, and resolution. Only by 
working together will we be able to preserve and protect this vital 
program.

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