[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 141 (Wednesday, October 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON H.R. 1, MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG AND 
                       MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2003

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 8, 2003

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, It would be healthy for the conference 
committee to debate this in the context of the overall program that 
will serve the senior citizens most in need. Having the possibility of 
the wealthiest senior citizens paying a little more does not seem 
unreasonable.
  Unfortunately, Congress is slowly but surely painting itself into a 
corner. As people rule out tax or fee increases, benefit reductions, 
copayment adjustment or eligibility modifications, there appears to be 
no way the current program can be maintained, much less add a new, 
important, but expensive prescription drug benefit without a massive 
infusion from the general fund (borrowed dollars).
  With increasing budget deficits, more tax cuts, and escalating 
demands on Social Security and Medicare (both in terms of service and 
demographics), we are headed for a train wreck. We must start making 
some adjustments because time is growing short and a problem that is 
already difficult is becoming more serious as time goes on.

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