[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 77 (Thursday, May 30, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H5744-H5745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          REPUBLICAN MEDICARE/MEDICAID PLANS ARE ``CLUELESS''

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California [Ms. Woolsey] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Representative 
Pallone for organizing this special order tonight and for his 
outstanding leadership in protecting Medicare.
  Mr. Speaker, colleagues, the Gingrich majority just can't keep its 
hands off of Medicare. For a second year in a row, the new majority is 
trying to pay for special interest tax breaks by forcing drastic cuts 
in Medicare.
  After shutting the Government down twice, after seeing their approval 
ratings plummet to record-breaking lows, after the near collapse of 
their legislative agenda you would think they would learn.
  Well, my friends, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle 
remain clueless. They remain clueless to the fact that the American 
people want no part of a scheme to make Medicare ``Wither on the 
vine,'' as the Speaker suggested.
  They remain clueless that seniors are not willing to pay more to 
receive less. The Republican budget cuts $167 billion from Medicare 
over 6 years, which will mean drastically higher health care costs and 
fewer health care benefits for our Nation's seniors.
  They remain clueless about forcing americans into managed care 
programs without physician choice--the same programs which may force 
seniors to give up their trusted doctors. And the American people sure 
don't want to be gouged through excessive copayments, known as balanced 
billing, which is included in the Republican plan.
  And Republicans remain clueless to the fact that the American people 
don't want their local hospitals closed because of a budget plan that 
cuts the Medicare Hospital Trust Fund by $51 billion over 6 years.
  Well, I am here, armed with messages from three of my constituents, 
to help members of the new majority get a clue. Hopefully our 
colleagues on the other side of the aisle are sitting in their offices, 
watching C-Span. I urge you to turn up the volume in your office, 
listen closely, and take note.
  First, a 65-year-old man wrote me to say (and I quote): ``I worked 
hard all of my life, raised ten kids, and fought in two wars to live my 
life in peace. Living on only 801 dollars a month, I need all the help 
I can get.''

[[Page H5745]]

  This person deserves better. He fought two wars for our country, and 
he should not live his golden years in fear of getting sick. With his 
income, he can't pay more for health care. It is wrong that the new 
majority is asking people like him to do so.
  The second message is from Ethel from San Rafael. She wrote to let me 
know that ``Medicare is only barely sufficient as it is. (She continued 
that) ``A cut would be a death knell to help as we know it.''
  So, I ask you if Medicare is barely sufficient now, what will it be 
like if the new majority has its way and cuts $167 billion and weakens 
anti-fraud laws?
  Finally, an elderly gentleman named Vernon, wants all of us to know 
that he can't afford to pay more for Medicare. He said, ``The old folks 
need money for food. Cutting Medicare will take away our food money.''
  How much food will Vernon give up, Mr. Speaker, when the new majority 
cuts Medicare by $167 billion? Does this Congress really intend for 
people like Vernon to give up food in order to pay for a doctor's visit 
or to pay for prescription drugs?
  I hope that our colleagues in the majority listen to the heartfelt 
pleas of these people. I hope that members of the new majority can open 
their eyes to the devastation that will occur if their Medicare plan is 
enacted.
  So get a clue, my friends. Listen to the American people and stop 
raiding Medicare for your special interest tax break. Start working 
with Democrats.
  I'm proud to say that I voted for the President's budget, which 
preserves the solvency of the Medicare system without damaging cuts to 
services. This Democratic alternative prevents outrageous increases in 
premiums and co-payments, and maintains strong anti-fraud policies.
  Let's work together to strengthen Medicare, and preserve it for 
future generations.
  Again, I want to thank Congressman Frank Pallone for his leadership 
on this issue. You have done a terrific job of protecting Medicare from 
cuts, and it is always a pleasure to work with you.

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