[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 16] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 23094] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]REPUBLICAN BUDGET FOR MEDICARE DESTROYS PROGRAM'S ABILITY TO SERVE PUBLIC, FIGHT FRAUD, AND PROTECT NURSING HOME PATIENTS ______ HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, September 28, 1999 Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, the HHS appropriations bill slashes Medicare's administrative budget. To quote from the Committee: ``The bill makes available $1,752,050,000 in trust funds for Federal administration of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which is $390,785,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $264,077,000 below the Administration request.'' The Administration had requested about $200 million worth of user fees, which have no hope of passing in this Congress. As a result, the Appropriations Committee action is a devastating blow to the Nation's seniors and disabled. If these figures were to become law, our ability to fight Medicare fraud, waste and abuse will be crippled. Our ability to visit nursing homes and other providers to check on quality and protect vulnerable seniors will be 40% of the amount requested by the Administration. It is no exaggeration to say that this budget will lead to the unnecessary death of older citizens. Speaker Gingrich must still be here. He is the one who said: ``HCFA will wither on the vine.'' This budget achieves that goal--it destroys our ability to administer a compassionate and effective Medicare program. ____________________