[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14168]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              HEALTH CARE

  (Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, when the health care 
bill known as ObamaCare was being debated in this Congress, Republicans 
said the bill would bankrupt our country, ration care for seniors, and 
cost Americans jobs.
  Well, that's exactly what will be happening if the new provision of 
the law goes into effect next week. Unelected Washington bureaucrats 
have ignored calls from Congress asking for a delay in Medicare cuts to 
skilled nursing facilities and rehab centers.
  My colleagues know that I have a reputation for being one of the more 
fiscally conservative Members of Congress. I understand the need for 
cuts. But as one medical professional recently said: ``If I'm told I 
need an amputation, I'd like to know what limb is being cut off.''
  The administration is proposing a reckless cut of nearly 13 percent 
to skilled nursing facilities and rehab centers. Eighty percent of the 
overhead at these facilities is staffed, meaning the people who take 
care of our seniors will be the first to lose their jobs. Receiving a 
lower quality of care at rehab centers means there's a greater chance 
that patients will spend more time at a costly hospital, resulting in 
higher overall costs.
  Madam Speaker, this isn't common sense. This policy isn't thinking 
smart. Our seniors deserve better, and I strongly urge the 
administration to reconsider their position.

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