Janice Schakowsky: “I have been pleased to hear some of my Republican colleagues express a willingness to go along with President Clinton's…”

“I have been pleased to hear some of my Republican colleagues express a willingness to go along with President Clinton's plan to devote 62 percent of the budget surplus to social security. But what I cannot understand is why they would rather take the rest of the surplus and give a tax break to the wealthy, instead of protecting and even expanding Medicare so that it covers prescription drugs. Before I was elected to public office, I served as director of the Illinois Council of Senior Citizens, and I learned a lot about how hard it can be to grow old in America. Making ends meet on Social Security is not easy, even if one is pretty healthy. But if someone has high blood pressure or diabetes or heart disease or cancer, they could be in real trouble. As any senior can tell us, there are many things Medicare does not pay for, including prescription drugs. In fact, seniors today are paying more of their incomes on health care than before Medicare was enacted in 1965. Social Security and Medicare. They go hand-in-hand. Seniors understand this. The President understands this. Before giving away the surplus to the rich, I hope the Republicans will get it, too, and support our plan to protect Medicare.”