[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H5939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        MEDICARE TRUSTEES REPORT

  (Mr. BAKER of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BAKER of California. Mr. Speaker, in this fantasy land known as 
Washington, the truth is rarely heard. As the little rabbit said in 
``Alice in Wonderland,'' things are not as they appear. So when the 
Medicare trustees, these well-known conservatives such as Labor 
Secretary Reich, Health Secretary Shalala and Treasury Secretary Rubin 
got up and said Medicare is going broke, an advanced copy went to the 
gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Gephardt]. He stood up and said, it is all 
the Republicans' fault. How could that be? How could that possibly be 
when we have not passed it?
  One of the speakers earlier said today hospitals in my area are 
closing, in anticipation of our plan which has not even gotten out of 
the House and has not been signed by the President.
  What does Medicare really need? This is the Medicare report from the 
trustees. One year ago they said it was going to go broke in 2002. The 
top line. Now they are saying it is going to go broke in 2000. Folks, 
by the year 2001, it will be $85 billion under water. That is not 
because somebody has given somebody a tax break.
  What does the Republican plan do? It allows doctors and hospitals to 
directly provide services. It allows HMO's to provide services, allows 
people to have a medical savings account. It eliminates waste, fraud, 
and abuse through tort reform and allows seniors to stay where it is. 
Let us pass reform. Let us stop blaming each other. Let us save 
Medicare.

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