[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S368-S370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DASCHLE (for himself, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Cleland, Mr. 
        Harkin, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Durbin, Mr. 
        Rockefeller, Mr. Dodd, and Mr. Bryan):
  S. 10. A bill to provide health protection and needed assistance for 
older Americans, including access to health insurance for 55- to 65-
year-olds, assistance for individuals with long-term care needs, and 
social services for older Americans; to the Committee on Finance.


               the democratic agenda for senior citizens

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I commend Senator Daschle for his 
leadership in making these vital health programs that mean so much to 
older Americans a central part of the Democratic agenda. Our proposal 
for Early Access to Medicare is a key part of these initiatives. It 
provides a lifeline for millions of Americans who are within a few 
years of the age of eligibility for Medicare and who have lost their 
health insurance coverage or fear that they will lose it. Our proposal 
also includes President Clinton's program to assist disabled senior 
citizens and their families--assistance that can mean the difference 
between institutionalization in a nursing home and the ability to 
remain in their own home. In addition, our proposal extends and 
strengthens the Older Americans Act, which provides valuable services 
for senior citizens, from ``Meals on Wheels'' to employment 
opportunities.
  Providing early access to Medicare will offer help and hope to more 
than three million Americans aged 55 to 64 who have no health insurance 
today. They are too young for Medicare, and unable to obtain private 
coverage they can afford. Often, they are victims of corporate 
downsizing, or of a company's decision to cancel their health 
insurance.
  In the past year, the number of the uninsured in this age group 
increased at a faster rate than other age groups. These Americans have 
been left out

[[Page S369]]

and left behind through no fault of their own--often after decades of 
hard work and reliable insurance coverage. It is time for Congress to 
provide a helping hand.
  Many of these citizens have serious health problems that threaten to 
destroy the savings of a lifetime and that prevent them from finding or 
keeping a job. Even those without current health problems know that a 
single serious illness could wipe out their savings.
  These uninsured Americans tend to be in poorer health than other 
members of their age group. Their health continues to deteriorate, the 
longer they remain uninsured. this unnecessary burden of illness is a 
preventable human tragedy. It adds to Medicare's long-term costs, 
because when these individuals turn 65, they join Medicare with greater 
and more costly needs for health care.
  Even those with good coverage today can't be certain that it will be 
there tomorrow. No one nearing retirement can be confident that the 
health insurance they have today will protect them until they qualify 
for Medicare at 65.
  Our proposal offers several types of assistance. Any uninsured 
American who is 62 or older can buy into Medicare. Over time, the 
participants will pay the full cost of the coverage, but to help keep 
premiums affordable, they can defer payment of part of the premiums 
until they turn 65 and Medicare starts to pay most of their health care 
costs. Once they turn 65, this deferred portion of the premium will be 
paid back at a modest monthly rate estimated at about $10 per month for 
each year of participation in the buy-in program.

  In addition, individuals age 55-61 who lose their health insurance 
because they are laid off or because their company closes will also be 
able to buy into Medicare, but they will not qualify for the deferred 
premium. Also, people who have retired before age 65 with the 
expectation of employer-paid health insurance would be allowed to buy 
into the company's program for active workers if the company drops its 
retirement coverage before they are eligible for Medicare.
  Our proposal is a lifeline for all these Americans. It is also a 
constructive step toward the day when every American will be guaranteed 
the fundamental right to health care.
  In the past, opponents have waged a campaign of disinformation that 
this sensible plan is somehow a threat to Medicare. They are wrong--and 
the American people understand that they are wrong. Under our proposal, 
the participants themselves will ultimately pay the full cost of this 
new coverage. The modest short-term budget impact can be financed 
through savings obtained by reducing fraud and abuse in Medicare.
  Every American should have the security and peace of mind of knowing 
that their final years in the workforce will not be haunted by the fear 
of devastating medical costs or the inability to meet basic medical 
needs. Uninsured Americans who are too young for Medicare but too old 
to purchase affordable private insurance coverage deserve our help--and 
we intend to see that they get it.
  Additional assistance for the disabled is also very important. Few 
issues are more important to senior citizens and their families than 
how to care for a severely disable order person at home. No senior 
citizens who want to remain in their own homes should be forced to 
enter a nursing home. Children who want to take disabled parents into 
their own homes deserve support. The issue of caring for the severely 
disabled at home is not just a concern for senior citizens. No parent 
should be forced to place a disabled child in institutional care. No 
disabled citizen who wants to live independently and can do so should 
be denied that opportunity.
  President Clinton's proposal is not a comprehensive solution to the 
problem of financing needed long-term care. It will not end the 
enormous burdens that caregivers often assume. But it is an important 
and constructive step that will provide needed help to millions of 
families.
  Under the proposal, disabled persons or their caregivers will be 
entitled to a tax credit of $1,000--far less than the total cost of 
caring for a disabled person, but still significant relief that can 
help buy a critical piece of equipment, pay for a period of respite 
care, or meet other unmet needs.
  The proposal also creates a National Family Caregiver Support Program 
to develop community resources for counseling, respite care and other 
services, training in assisting persons with disabilities, and 
providing information about resources available to meet the needs of 
the disabled and their caregivers.
  One of the most difficult aspects of caring for a disabled parent or 
child is not knowing where to turn for help, or finding that help is 
not available. This program will help to meet these needs.
  Finally, the legislation extends and strengthens the Older Americans 
Act, a step that is long overdue. The Act provides essential services 
that assist senior citizens in every community. It supports 57 state 
agencies on aging, 660 area agencies, and 27,000 service providers who 
work with the elderly.
  The Act is an essential source of nutrition for many low income and 
frail elderly. In FY 1996, more than 3 million older persons were 
served 238 million meals with funding from the Act. The Act supported 
transportation, assistance, home care, recreation and other important 
services provided by 6,400 senior centers. It funded more than 40 
million rides and 15 million home care services to older persons. The 
Act also pays for training and research in the field of aging. It helps 
unemployed low-income older persons to find employment opportunities. 
And it provides protection and advocacy services for vulnerable senior 
citizens.
  Elderly Americans and those nearing retirement have worked all their 
lives to build America. When they face basic needs for health care and 
long-term care, they deserve the best help that America can provide. 
These proposals are important and timely. They will make a very 
important difference in the lives of millions of our fellow citizens, 
and they deserve prompt enactment by the Congress.
                                  s____
                                 
      By Mr. ABRAHAM:
  S. 11. A bill for the relief of Wei Jingsheng; to the Committee on 
the Judiciary.


                WEI JINGSHENG FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE ACT

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to seek my colleagues' 
support for the Wei Jingsheng Freedom of Conscience Act. This bill will 
grant lawful permanent residence to writer and philosopher Wei 
Jingsheng, one of the most heroic individuals the international human 
rights community has known. This bill passed the Senate by unanimous 
consent in 1998 but was not acted upon in the House before the end of 
last session.
  Mr. President, when I first introduced this legislation I noted that, 
for years, Wei has stood up to an oppressive Chinese government, 
calling for freedom and democracy through speeches, writings, and as a 
prominent participant in the Democracy Wall movement. I also noted that 
his dedication to the principles we hold dear, and on which our nation 
was founded, brought him 15 years of torture and imprisonment at the 
hands of the Chinese communist regime. Seriously ill, Wei was released 
only after great international public outcry. Now essentially exiled, 
he lives in the United States on a temporary visa and cannot return to 
China without facing further imprisonment.
  Now more than ever, Mr. President, I believe that granting Wei 
permanent residence will show that America stands by those who are 
willing to stand up for the principles we cherish. It also will help 
Wei in his continuing fight for freedom and democracy in China.
  I would like to thank Senators Feingold, Allard, and Wellstone for 
cosponsoring this bill. I should note also that this legislation has 
been endorsed by important human rights groups such as the Laogai 
Research Foundation and Human Rights in China, two organizations 
devoted, at great risk to their members and their members' families, to 
combating oppression in communist China.
  I urge my colleagues to send a strong signal about America's 
commitment to human rights, human freedom, and the dignity of the 
individual by passing this bill to grant Wei Jingsheng lawful permanent 
residence in the United States.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.

[[Page S370]]

  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 11

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. PERMANENT RESIDENCE.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Wei 
     Jingsheng Freedom of Conscience Act''.
       (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for 
     purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
     1101 et seq.), Wei Jingsheng shall be held and considered to 
     have been lawfully admitted to the United States for 
     permanent residence as of the date of the enactment of this 
     Act upon payment of the required visa fee.

     SEC. 2. REDUCTION OF NUMBER OF AVAILABLE VISAS.

       Upon the granting of permanent residence to Wei Jingsheng 
     as provided in this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
     instruct the proper officer to reduce by one during the 
     current fiscal year the total number of immigrant visas 
     available to natives of the country of the alien's birth 
     under section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act 
     (8 U.S.C. 1153(a)).
                                 ______