[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E68-E69]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE MEDICARE PREVENTIVE BENEFIT EXPANSION ACT OF 1997

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                         HON. WILLIAM M. THOMAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, today I join with Mr. Bilirakis and Mr. 
Cardin in introducing a

[[Page E69]]

bill which will strengthen Medicare's coverage of certain preventive 
health care. This is a step in the right direction for our seniors--and 
for the Medicare Program. Preventive health care can translate into 
improved health and a better quality of life--and at the same time, 
reduce long-term health expenses. The private sector has for many years 
offered preventive benefits in insurance programs for working 
Americans. Medicare can do the same for senior citizens.
  In past years, we examined Medicare's coverage policy for the 
possibility of expanding it to include certain preventive care. But 
each time, the Congressional Budget Office concluded that this would 
significantly increase Medicare costs. Last year, for the first time, 
CBO agreed that certain preventive health benefits could actually save 
Medicare money. Using this new level of understanding, we decide to 
include these savings and develop a responsible preventive health care 
program for our elderly. More important than the dollars we will save 
over the long term, this legislation assembles preventive methods that 
will save lives and enhance the quality of life for individuals 
suffering from certain medical conditions. In addition, these measures 
will empower seniors to have more control over their health through 
early detection of diseases, thereby increasing treatment options in 
many cases, and by educating patients on how to successfully manage 
their conditions.
  The American Cancer Society estimates that one million people will be 
diagnosed with cancer this year, and there are more than 10 million 
people alive today with a history of cancer. Those who fight cancer, as 
either a patient or as a caregiver, know the tremendous burden such a 
battle brings. There is great financial cost for individuals, families, 
and society as a whole; the National Cancer Institute estimates 
national costs for cancer to be more than $100 billion each year. By 
providing Medicare beneficiaries with the access to expanded prevention 
procedures through coverage of mammographies, pap smears, pelvic exams, 
and colorectal and prostate screenings, this legislation seeks to 
reduce suffering and save lives by detecting cancer at an earlier, more 
treatable stage.
  We also address a disease affecting more than 15 million Americans--
diabetes. Without detection or proper treatment, diabetes can lead to 
kidney failure, amputation, nerve damage, blindness, extended 
hospitalizations, heart disease, and strokes. Medical care for diabetic 
patients costs more than $100 billion per year--accounting for 15 
percent of all health care costs in the United States and a quarter of 
all Medicare costs. These medical complications and resulting costs are 
often avoidable through patient education on proper nutrition, 
exercise, blood sugar monitoring, activity and medication so that 
patients can take charge of their wellness. We not only empower people 
to take back control of their health care through patient self-
management training, but we ease the financial burden by including 
blood-testing strips as durable medical equipment for the purposes of 
Medicare coverage. We also recognize the necessity of improving 
diabetes treatment and have added provisions requiring the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services to establish outcome measures to be reported 
to the Congress so we can change and adapt our coverage policies to 
reflect the medical needs of patients and not the arbitrary 
determinations of a Washington bureaucracy.
  This legislation should make significant strides in improving the 
health care system for Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with breast, 
cervical, colorectal, prostate cancer, and diabetes. We will do more, 
since new technology will enable early detection of other diseases. 
This bill will make a difference in millions of lives and for thousands 
of families, and I am proud to introduce this bill today, at the 
beginning of the new 105th Congress.

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