[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12024-S12025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MEDICARE BENEFICIARY SHARES CONCERNS ABOUT THE NEW DOLE PLAN

  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, a few weeks ago, a number of my 
Democratic colleagues and I held a forum on how former Senator Dole's 
economic plan would affect the Medicare Program and the 37 million 
people who rely on it for their health care needs. Unfortunately, there 
have been no formal congressional hearings to examine the consequences 
of this mammoth plan on the lives of the American people, or in 
particular, on Medicare beneficiaries.
  Our forum heard from highly respected economic and health care 
experts who warned us that the Dole plan would require deep cuts in 
Medicare, which would force major changes in the program, cuts in 
payments to the professionals and institutions that provide Medicare 
services, and reductions in the quality of the medical care provided to 
Medicare beneficiaries. In my view, this is one of the most obvious and 
compelling reasons to do everything possible to prevent the Dole 
economic plan from ever becoming reality. It astounds me that we are 
seeing this revival of a supply-side proposal that once again puts 
Medicare on the chopping block in order to pay for tax relief for the 
wealthy.
  We also were privileged to hear from an extraordinary senior citizen 
and Medicare beneficiary, Betty Miller. Betty Miller told us that the 
Medicare cuts required to pay for Dole's tax cut plan would seriously 
threaten her health care security. Betty was a powerful witness and I 
think she truly represents what the majority of Medicare beneficiaries 
would tell us if they had the chance to share their views about the 
Dole plan's harsh Medicare cuts.
  I want all my colleagues to be able to listen to Betty's comments 
about Medicare. I submit Betty's testimony for the Record, and urge 
each of my colleagues to take the time to read what a real Medicare 
beneficiary cares and worries about when candidates propose financing 
tax breaks with their Medicare Program. Again, I thank Betty for taking 
the time to tell us about her health care worries, and about what 
Medicare means to her.
  This testimony underscores, I submit, the reasons to protect Medicare 
from being raided for anything but the future of this crucial health 
care program. A promise was made to Betty Miller that she could 
experience her retirement years with the peace of mind of health care 
security. And a promise was made to future retirees, who are now 
working hard to pay into the Medicare Trust Fund, so they can count on 
the same health security. The Dole plan threatens this promised health 
care security, and should be rejected.
  The testimony follows:
       My name is Betty Miller. I am 77 years old and in good 
     health, fortunately.
       Nine years ago my husband died of emphysema and 
     complications, amassing bills of one quarter of a million 
     dollars. I would be impoverished today, and so would my 
     children, if it were not for Medicare.
       Since then I have cost Medicare less than one hundred 
     dollars ($82.24) for the total nine years. My pension 
     deductions for Medicare amount to $510 annually. I have 
     worked since I was 17 years old. In the years before my 
     retirement ten years ago my Health Insurance tax was deducted 
     from every salary check.
       I like the Medicare program. It gives me peace of mind. I 
     can sleep at night knowing that I may not become a financial 
     burden to my children. My four children are fine, upstanding 
     citizens gainfully employed, but they are not wealthy. They 
     could not face the burden of a major health expense for me. A 
     burden which might rob my six grandchildren of a higher 
     education or other economic requirements.
       This is why we are so concerned with Republican proposals, 
     the proposal you have

[[Page S12025]]

     just heard about which my Representative and her Republican 
     colleagues support. A 15% tax cut at my income level would be 
     peanuts compared to my possible medical bills.
       At my age I do not worry about dying, but without Medicare 
     I would worry about surviving. Many of my friends are in the 
     same position.
       We need Medicare for ourselves and our children.

                          ____________________