[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 97 (Thursday, July 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      BALANCED BUDGET ACT OF 1997

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                               speech of

                            HON. MAX SANDLIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 1997

  Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, today the House of Representatives passed 
the Budget Reconciliation Spending Act, H.R. 2015, a bill to reduce 
spending programs. I voted to protect seniors, children, low income 
workers, and Texas. While I strongly support the goal of the 
legislation to balance the Federal budget, and while I voted for the 
balanced budget agreement of 1997, I could not support this 
legislation.
  I support Medicare reform to extend the solvency of the Medicare 
Program. However, this bill cuts Medicare by $115 billion and still 
only extends the program for only 8 years, not the 10 years called for 
in the budget agreement. The proposed changes saddle health care 
providers with over $100 billion of the cuts, potentially leading to a 
deterioration in the quality of care. In addition to these cuts, 
Medicare premiums for the average beneficiary would rise by over $15 
per month, placing an unbearable burden on many seniors vulnerable to 
rising costs.
  In addition to higher premiums for Medicare beneficiaries, this bill 
also hits another senior group by cutting veterans' benefits. The 
legislation reduces veterans' benefit cost of living adjustment [COLA] 
by rounding down and by limiting future increases.
  We have created laws to protect workers from abuse in our society. 
However, the Budget Reconciliation Spending Act specifically exempts 
from these laws workers who are trying to leave the welfare rolls for 
jobs. These workers would be denied worker protections against 
discrimination and sexual harassment and not allowed time off for 
family and medical leave to be with their families in times of need. We 
should be giving these workers more reasons to find a good job, not 
giving them more reasons to stay on welfare.
  Workers in my district would be further harmed by this legislation 
because of provisions to privatize food stamp and Medicaid eligibility. 
Aside from concerns regarding a profit-seeking company determining the 
Medicaid eligibility of an impoverished family, this provision would 
jeopardize the jobs of State employees everywhere. These people work 
hard at their jobs, do an excellent job, and do not deserve to lose 
their jobs in order to reach a questionable goal.
  Finally, the State of Texas bears a disproportionate share of 
Medicaid savings under the House reconciliation proposal regarding 
disproportionate share hospital [DSH] payments. Texas alone represents 
over 13 percent of the cuts to the DSH program, and will have DSH 
payments cut by 40 percent in the year 2002. Texas has the third 
largest Medicaid population in the country and is disproportionately 
affected by legal and illegal immigrant populations. DSH payments to 
Texas are used to serve the uninsured population, especially in rural 
areas. Many people in this population, with no other options for health 
care, could be denied basic health care services if this provision is 
included.
  I want to see a balanced budget. I have made a pledge to the people 
of east Texas to work for a balanced budget. Unfortunately, I cannot 
support a balanced budget that balances the budget on the backs of 
seniors, children, workers, and Texas health care funds. This bill is 
bad for the American working families, bad for the American economy, 
and bad for America. I urge my colleagues on the conference committee 
to compromise on a bill that benefits working Americans instead of one 
that harms them.

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