[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 159 (Thursday, November 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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

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                               speech of

                             HON. JIM KOLBE

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 5, 1999

  Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, since its creation, the Medicare program has 
protected millions of beneficiaries from poverty by helping to pay for 
medical services. It has improved access to care for the elderly and 
many disabled Americans and is certainly among the key policy successes 
of this century.
  Still, as the health care market evolves in this country, and as 
beneficiaries grow older and their health care needs change, Medicare 
must also evolve. In enacting the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA), 
the Congress took important steps to begin this evolution and to help 
extend the program's financial viability.
  Unfortunately, many of the reforms Congress prescribed in the BBA 
have been implemented poorly, and sometimes counter to Congressional 
intent. While I continue to support the budget priorities established 
in the BBA, I believe Congress must act to correct the mistakes and 
misjudgments that now threaten the viability of many health care 
providers. For this reason, I support H.R. 3075, the Medicare Balanced 
Budget Refinement Act of 1999.
  In particular I am pleased the Committee has included specific 
provisions that will benefit Medicare providers and patients in 
Southern Arizona.
  This bill: Strengthens rural hospitals, provides additional funds for 
physicial therapy and speech therapy, expands the number of critical 
access hospitals, increases funding for teaching hospitals, extends 
Medicare's coverage of immunosuppressive drugs, improves the State 
Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and continues the Medicare 
Community Nursing Organization demonstration project, otherwise known 
as the Healthy Seniors program in Tucson.
  In total, this bill provides an additional $11.8 billion for Medicare 
providers and patients. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle to support the bill.

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