[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 86 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                MILITARY RETIREE HEALTH CARE RELIEF ACT

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                          HON. JO ANN EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 1998

  Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to introduce the Military 
Retiree Health Care Relief Act. This legislation will provide a 
refundable tax credit to all military retirees and their spouses for 
Medicare Part B monthly premiums, and it will waive the ten percent 
penalty for late enrollment in Medicare.
  As we head into this Fourth of July recess, let us not forget why we 
are blessed with freedom and democracy in this country. The sacrifices 
made by those who served in the military are something that must never 
be overlooked. Promises were made to those who served in the Uniformed 
Services. They were told that their health care would be taken care of 
for life if they served a minimum of 20 years of active federal 
service.
  Well, those military retirees served their time and expected the 
government to hold up its end of the bargain. They are now realizing 
that these were nothing more than empty promises.
  Those who served in the military did not let their country down in 
its time of need and we should not let military retirees down in 
theirs. It's time military retirees get what was promised to them and 
that's why I am introducing this legislation.

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