[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 156 (Monday, November 8, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2297-E2298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND SCHIP BALANCED BUDGET REFINEMENT ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. ROGER F. WICKER

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 5, 1999

  Mr. WICKER. Mr. Speaker, the Balanced Budget Act included provisions 
to safeguard the long term solvency of the Medicare system, but for a 
number of reasons the mandated reductions exceeded estimates and 
provided a lower level of reimbursement than

[[Page E2298]]

Congress directed. The Medicare Balanced Budget Refinement Act corrects 
this problem and restores vital funding to the Medicare program to 
allow health care providers to meet the needs of their communities.
  This important legislation will ease the financial crisis which has 
threatened the quality of health care service for millions of 
Americans. I am pleased we have been able to work in a bipartisan 
fashion to bring relief to the small rural community hospitals which 
provides the foundation for rural America.
  I am hopeful that in addition to the supporting this legislation, the 
Health Care Financing Administration will make the needed 
administrative changes to ensure that small rural hospitals will 
receive adequate Medicare reimbursement. I look forward to working with 
HCFA and member of both political parties to restore balance to the 
Medicare system.

                          ____________________