[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 108 (Monday, July 28, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        MEDICARE REFORM PROPOSAL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 28, 1997

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, this year Congress is faced with one of its 
toughest challenges yet. A program that for three decades has helped 
pay the medical bills for America's senior citizens is in drastic need 
of reform. Credited with alleviating the problem of the uninsured 
senior citizens and reducing the health problems of the disabled, 
Medicare is now in need of a major overhaul if it is to continue 
providing for seniors.
  We are working hard to ensure that Medicare remains viable for 
present and future beneficiaries. By addressing the impending 
bankruptcy of this program now, we will be able to strengthen and 
improve it while expanding benefits for all participants. Through a 
combination of savings and structural reforms, the Republican plan to 
reform our health care program will extend the solvency of the Medicare 
trust fund for at least 10 years.
  The House Medicare proposal increases the choices available to 
Medicare beneficiaries, so that they can select from among the same 
kinds of health plan options that are available to the rest of the 
population. The plan calls for new systems of payment to address the 
problems in areas where the growth in costs is unsustainable. Finally, 
our proposal achieves savings by restraining future increases in costs, 
while also providing important new preventive care benefits.
  I am proud of the progress we have made toward reforming Medicare. I 
firmly believe that Medicare can be preserved, protected, and improved 
without jeopardizing health care for the most vulnerable populations, 
and I am confident that together we can make this goal a reality.

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