[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16026]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUPPORTING OUR SENIORS

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, today we were talking about jobs and 
H.R. 702, and I supported the legislation to create jobs for my 
district and for America, and to provide opportunities to ensure the 
national security and protect the environment.
  We also have to realize our seniors that helped build this country. 
Today I joined in legislation, Seniors Deserve a Raise, to be able to 
connect these seniors to a cost-of-living increase related to the 
Consumer Price Index.
  But there is a gross problem that is coming up, and that is the 
doubling of the cost of Medicare part B. For 30 percent of 
beneficiaries in 2016, their cost is projected to increase by 52 
percent, from $154 to $159. This increase will be accompanied by an 
increase in the part B deductible, from $147 to $223. Congress must act 
to protect the approximately 6 million Medicare beneficiaries who will 
see a significant increase in their Medicare premiums and deductible.
  It is very important to realize that my State of Texas would have a 
$159 million increase. It is my intention to introduce legislation, a 
sense of Congress, that indicates that Congress must act to protect our 
seniors. They helped build this Nation. What are we doing to help them?
  Give them a raise and protect their Medicare.

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