[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 14350]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                MEDICARE

  (Mrs. CAPITO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, finally a strengthened Medicare system that 
includes prescription drug coverage seems to be the number one priority 
for both houses of Congress. The time is right to make progress. We 
have a tremendous opportunity to reform Medicare and help our seniors. 
The budget of $400 billion over the next 10 years is enough to 
strengthen and improve Medicare, so we do have the resources to make 
reform work.
  Our Nation has made a binding commitment to bring affordable health 
care to our seniors. We must honor that commitment by making sure 
Medicare stays current with the needs of today's seniors. When Medicare 
was launched 38 years ago, medicine focused on surgery and hospital 
stays. Today doctors routinely treat patients with prescription drugs, 
preventive care and groundbreaking medical devices. Our goal is to give 
seniors the best, most innovative care. This will require a strong, up-
to-date Medicare system that relies on innovation and quality delivery, 
not bureaucratic rules and regulations. We can reach that goal now.

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