[Page H7708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   HELP US SOLVE THE MEDICARE CRISIS

  (Mr. SOUDER asked for and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, Medicare will be bankrupt in 7 years. No 
amount of accusations against each other about robbing banks or telling 
stories is going to solve the problem. We cannot stick our heads in the 
sand. Medicare will go broke in 7 years. We must work together to solve 
the problem rather than just spit out rhetoric.
  Many of you have a parent or grandparent who is 58 years of age and 
expecting Medicare benefits when they turn 65. They have worked hard 
all their lives, paid their taxes, and saved for their retirement. When 
they reach 65, however, and are getting ready to retire, there will be 
no Medicare waiting for them.
  Mr. Speaker, for 30 years Medicare has enabled the seniors of this 
country to get the medical attention they need, and now the Democrats 
seem to want to stand by, yell a lot, but let the program die.
  We Republicans will not stand for it. We are working to strengthen 
and preserve Medicare. I hope my Democrat colleagues will stop the 
rhetoric and help us solve the Medicare crisis.

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