William M. Thomas

The first thing you do is examine those 37 million to find out who could afford it, but given the failure to change insurance laws in the country today on a uniform basis, they refuse to do it. Find out those who are more than willing to…

It is sufficient. Let me tell you, it is more than sufficient. The President has identified the money, $124 billion to provide new benefits for the entire Medicare population. All we are doing is taking that money and directing it to the 7…

If the gentleman refuses to means test millionaires for getting prescription drug benefits. I guess you have to look to other sources. I would prefer looking there.

I would then like to say the question is when, how much, under what circumstances, who pays, and what are the consequences of all of those decisions.

No, that is the question. They can get insurance. It is not that they cannot get insurance.

No. I am more than willing to share the reductions in Medicare squeezing out waste, fraud, and abuse just like the President does.

You said I misrepresented the President's bill. Was it the $124 billion that the President is going to cut?

The President's plan, the President's plan allows Congress to create the national benefits package. It is log rolling and pork barreling at its worst.

The gentleman said I misrepresented the President's bill. It's $124 billion he's going to cut in Medicare?

The President cuts $124 billion from Medicare. He says he gets it from waste, fraud, and abuse, and what does he do with that money? He turns around and gives millionaires additional benefits----

And what does he do with those cuts? He turns around and gives millionaires taxpayers' money to pay for prescription drugs.

May I answer the question? If you will take a look at the Republican plans and most specifically the plan that I carry as a sponsor in this House, we not only engage the problem of making sure that these teaching hospitals are adequately…

I thank the moderator. It seems to me that it is evident tonight, based upon the initial opening statement of the gentleman from California, Mr. Stark, and his attempt to evade the questions, that either he has not read the resolve clause…

That key has controls, the structure which controls the flow of money, through which every American will be buying their health plans, you believe, is not a key element of the President's plan?

A key element of the Clinton plan is the herding of Americans into something called alliances. As you well know, the alliances are mandatory health plans, making illegal virtually all of the current health plans for Americans. If this is…

Mr. President, price controls produce shortages, black markets, and reduced quality. Your plan, the Clinton Plan, sets the fees charged by doctors and hospitals, caps annual spending on health care, limits insurance premiums, and imposes…

Mr. Stark, I did not ask you to cite their credentials. I asked you to tell me why.

What I agreed to was means testing Medicare, taking money away from people who are getting it now, who really don't deserve it, and giving it to the people who do, and I agree with the gentleman that those people need it. It is available…

Let us do it tomorrow. Let us take all of that money you are saving under the President's plan in cutting Medicare and pay for those people's coverage instead of giving millionaires prescription drug benefits, then,

Let us means test Medicare and give it to the people who really need the money. I am with you on that.