William C. Baker: “in this fantasy land known as Washington, the truth is rarely heard. As the little rabbit said in ``Alice in…”

“in this fantasy land known as Washington, the truth is rarely heard. As the little rabbit said in ``Alice in Wonderland,'' things are not as they appear. So when the Medicare trustees, these well-known conservatives such as Labor Secretary Reich, Health Secretary Shalala and Treasury Secretary Rubin got up and said Medicare is going broke, an advanced copy went to the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Gephardt]. He stood up and said, it is all the Republicans' fault. How could that be? How could that possibly be when we have not passed it? One of the speakers earlier said today hospitals in my area are closing, in anticipation of our plan which has not even gotten out of the House and has not been signed by the President. What does Medicare really need? This is the Medicare report from the trustees. One year ago they said it was going to go broke in 2002. The top line. Now they are saying it is going to go broke in 2000. Folks, by the year 2001, it will be $85 billion under water. That is not because somebody has given somebody a tax break. What does the Republican plan do? It allows doctors and hospitals to directly provide services. It allows HMO's to provide services, allows people to have a medical savings account. It eliminates waste, fraud, and abuse through tort reform and allows seniors to stay where it is. Let us pass reform. Let us stop blaming each other. Let us save Medicare.”