[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 28, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REPUBLICAN BUDGET FOR MEDICARE DESTROYS PROGRAM'S ABILITY TO SERVE 
         PUBLIC, FIGHT FRAUD, AND PROTECT NURSING HOME PATIENTS

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 1999

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, the HHS appropriations bill slashes 
Medicare's administrative budget. To quote from the Committee: ``The 
bill makes available $1,752,050,000 in trust funds for Federal 
administration of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which is 
$390,785,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and 
$264,077,000 below the Administration request.''
  The Administration had requested about $200 million worth of user 
fees, which have no hope of passing in this Congress. As a result, the 
Appropriations Committee action is a devastating blow to the Nation's 
seniors and disabled.
  If these figures were to become law, our ability to fight Medicare 
fraud, waste and abuse will be crippled. Our ability to visit nursing 
homes and other providers to check on quality and protect vulnerable 
seniors will be 40% of the amount requested by the Administration. It 
is no exaggeration to say that this budget will lead to the unnecessary 
death of older citizens.
  Speaker Gingrich must still be here. He is the one who said: ``HCFA 
will wither on the vine.'' This budget achieves that goal--it destroys 
our ability to administer a compassionate and effective Medicare 
program.

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