Eliot Engel: “I rise today on behalf of my mother, Seroy Engel, and the millions of mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers throughout…”

“I rise today on behalf of my mother, Seroy Engel, and the millions of mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers throughout our Nation whose lives depend on Medicare. In the next few weeks this legislative body is going to have to make some tough decisions. The question will be will we let the Republicans take the care out of Medicare. I say, ``No.'' In 1965, Medicare was established to demonstrate that this Nation cares about its senior citizens, that it cares whether or not they receive medical treatment, and, ultimately, that it cares whether they live or die. In 1965, only 46 percent of America's senior citizens had health coverage. Today, 99 percent of American seniors are covered for medical expenses. Today we are at a crossroads. We must decide if we will break our sacred oath to millions of Medicare recipients by forcing them to pay more for less care, wait longer for personal care, and have less control over who provides that care. There is a fundamental question that we must ask ourselves when the Republican leadership asks you to cut $270 billion from Medicare to pay for a tax break for the wealthy: Will we vote to take the CARE out of Medicare? Will we vote to take the care out of Medicare? That, Mr. Speaker, is the question we must all ask ourselves. This Congressman says ``No.''”