[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]


                            CUTS IN MEDICARE

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                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 28, 1997

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, hundreds of my constituents have contacted 
me about the severe cuts in Medicare reimbursement for home oxygen 
therapy. As the House and Senate conferees deliberate over the extent 
of these cuts, I would like them to consider the lives of seniors 
receiving home oxygen services. The following letter was given to me by 
Laurie Keiper of Springfield, OR.

       To Congress and the Senate of the United States: I am an 
     oxygen home therapy patient on 3-4 liters, 24 hours each day. 
     I am a wife of a research vessel boatswain mate who is not 
     home every night. He is gone most of the summer and fall.
       I am a care giver also, taking care of my grandson, most of 
     his 14 years. He will be starting 9th grade in the fall.
       Without oxygen, I can not take care of my grandson, do for 
     my family, or take care of myself. Instead you will pay more 
     for child care, hospital and for nursing facility care. Most 
     likely my 5 years of life expectancy will be shortened to 2 
     to 3 years or less. Oxygen is 1 percent of the total medicare 
     budget. If you cut it by 40 percent what will it cost you?
       40 percent increase in hospital stays.
       40 percent increase in dependent payments, especially 
     without parental guidance look at all the options--drugs, 
     alcohol, runaways etc.
       40 percent increase in home health and/or nursing facility 
     payments.
       40 percent increase in death benefit burial payments.
       It does not seem fiscally prudent to make this cut. Look 
     for fake bills, bad doctors, people who aren't supposed to be 
     on Medicare. When someone says they question a bill--follow 
     up on it. Cut cost that way!
                                                    Laurie Keiper.

     

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