[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 17, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H1337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STRENGTHEN MEDICARE WITH THE SURPLUS

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, when Medicare was created in 1965, fewer 
than half of all American seniors had health care coverage. Today 99 
percent are covered. Medicare has enabled millions of seniors to live 
their retirement years with dignity, financial independence, and peace 
of mind.
  Unless we prepare for the baby boom's strain on the system, Medicare 
will go bankrupt in the year 2008, only 9 years away. The Democratic 
proposal for the Federal surplus would use 15 percent of that surplus 
to bolster Medicare, to strengthen Medicare. This plan will extend the 
life of Medicare by a decade.
  In contrast, the Republican plan is to spend that surplus on a one-
time, trillion-dollar tax break while Medicare withers on the vine. It 
is irresponsible. Giving tax breaks while Medicare dissolves is akin to 
fiddling while Rome burns.
  Mr. Speaker, we should use the surplus to strengthen Medicare. This 
is a responsible plan for our current seniors and for future 
generations.

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