[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY ARE TWO MOST POPULAR FEDERAL PROGRAMS

  (Ms. NORTON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I do not need to tell this body that 
Medicare and Social Security are the two most popular Federal programs, 
with good reason. The need has been long established and the people who 
benefit or their survivors have paid their dues to build this society.
  These programs are in effect twins, but they were born about 30 years 
apart. We have been talking a lot about the eldest of the twins, Social 
Security, but we must not forget or neglect the other twin, the 
Medicare twin.
  Time will run out sooner with Medicare than with Social Security. We 
have about 10 years to make sure that Medicare is there for everyone 
who needs it. We should devote 15 percent of the surplus to making sure 
with a bipartisan commitment not only to Social Security but going the 
rest of the way to Medicare.
  The only thing that could get us in more trouble with the American 
people than letting Social Security drift into bankruptcy is not fixing 
Medicare. Let us do it together.

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