[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRESS SHOULD TAKE ACTION TO PRESERVE MEDICARE'S HOME HEALTH BENEFITS 
                           BEFORE ADJOURNMENT

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                         HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 1998

  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of efforts to reform 
Medicare's home health payment system now, before unreasonably low 
payment caps negatively impact quality and access to care. While they 
are not as comprehensive as the changes that I and many other members 
sought, the changes H.R. 4567 makes to the interim payment system (IPS) 
will give much-needed relief to home care agencies in my Congressional 
district and many others.
  I am very concerned that we are considering paying for this change by 
expanding Roth IRAs. This expansion would raise the $2.4 billion we 
need in the first 5 years, but it will cost us $10.7 billion in the 
years after that. Financing this much-needed change in this way is a 
little like borrowing from a loan shark. We get a little bit of money 
now, but we'll have an even bigger bill to pay later.
  The Senate is working on a version of this bill which would give even 
more relief to efficient agencies and would block the 15% across the 
board cut scheduled for next year. Home health agencies in my district 
have told me the impending 15% cut will have a destructive effect on 
their ability to provide services, and I would prefer not to wait until 
next year to address their concerns. The Senate bill is not paid for 
using the Roth IRA method, which I believe is better policy. Wednesday 
night I joined several of my colleagues in introducing a House bill 
which is nearly identical to the bipartisan Senate bill.
  I will support H.R. 4567 in an attempt to move the process forward 
and craft a home health care solution in this Congress. However, I hope 
the House will move toward the Senate position in the conference. I 
believe doing so will give us a better bill, one which provides more 
relief for efficient agencies and frees all agencies from the specter 
of the 15% cut.

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