[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 5, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H5823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    DEMOCRATS' PROPOSAL TO SAVE MEDICARE WOULD NOT FUND TAX CUTS OR 
                           PENTAGON INCREASES

  (Ms. FURSE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to talk about 
Medicare. I am very disappointed that we still have that same old, same 
old when it comes to the priorities of the majority party.
  When I talk to the people in my district, they think it is absolutely 
crazy to ask seniors to pay more for Medicare while we increase 
spending on the Pentagon and hand out tax cuts. Moreover, people get 
very concerned when they hear about the way in which the Republicans 
want to save Medicare.
  The Republicans would allow doctors to charge whatever they want by 
eliminating protections on balance billing; they would allow cutting 
fees to doctors and hospitals through budget gimmicks; and they would 
force seniors into plans which restrict their choices.
  It is no wonder that this Congress held more hearings on Waco and 
sports franchise relocation than we did on Medicare reform. In fact, 
there has been so much secrecy that, in my committee last year, when a 
group of seniors came to ask, ``Please give us some answers'' they were 
arrested.

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