[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 41 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SUPPORT H.R. 15, THE MEDICARE PREVENTIVE BENEFITS IMPROVEMENT ACT

  (Mr. BILIRAKIS asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to 
support H.R. 15, the Medicare Preventive Benefits Improvement Act. This 
legislation will ensure that important, sometimes even lifesaving, 
preventive benefits will be covered by the Medicare program.
  The debate over the future of health care is one of the most critical 
issues we face as we approach the next century. H.R. 15 helps to 
address this important matter by providing preventive health benefits 
to seniors. It guarantees Medicare coverage for some of the most 
critical preventive screening tests available. These tests include 
mammographies for women 50 and over, pap smears, colon cancer 
screening, prostate screening and diabetes self-management supplies.
  As we move forward with budget negotiations we need to realize that 
there are issues that have bipartisan support. Many are included in 
H.R. 15, which currently has 79 cosponsors both Democrat and 
Republican.
  Mr. Speaker, we must act now and pass this preventive health bill. It 
is good legislative policy and, most importantly, it will save lives.

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