E 2212 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 17, 1995 do not have a Medicare HMO option available women who are revered and who will be so IN HONOR OF MS. MALIN FALU, A to them. It is difficult to understand how bene- revered for generations. I come to this historic RADIO HOST PERSONALITY WHO ficiaries who paid into the Medicare trust funds floor today to add still another name to this HAS ENTERTAINED AND SERVED at the same rate and pay the same part B pre- long list of distinguished Americans who we THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY mium now receive very different AAPCC pay- can truly call a legend of out timeÐone whose ments. This is not equitable or fair. Improving singular contributions will separate him from HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ the AAPCC payment formula is critically im- everyone else who has toiled in his profes- OF NEW JERSEY portant to fulfill our legislative promise of pro- sion. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES viding health care choices as well as equity and fairness to all beneficiaries. Our Nation has produced many, many great Friday, November 17, 1995 Why can some beneficiaries today choose football coaches. Men like Paul ``Bear'' Bryant, Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to receive their Medicare services from the tra- Woody Hayes, Ara Parseghian, Joe Paterno, to honor Ms. Malin Falu, a Hispanic woman ditional fee-for-service or an HMO and others Knute Rockne, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Bud who has distinguished herself as a prominent cannot? HMO's and hospital associations sug- Wilkerson, to name a few But, today I rise to radio personality. Ms. Falu will be honored gested that a monthly payment between $325 pay tribute to the historical accomplishments today in a live broadcast on Radio WADO to $350 begins to provide them with the op- of Coach Eddie G. Robinson of Grambling 1280 AM. portunity to offer Medicare managed care State UniversityÐthe winningest football Ms. Malin Falu is the creator, producer, and services. For this reason, it was necessary to coach of all time, the best that the game of commentator of the Hispanic radio program craft an AAPCC payment formula that would football has to offer. ``Hablando con Malin,'' Speaking with Malin. support the establishment and operation of an This radio program is transmitted throughout During a period spanning 55 years, Coach HMO or the new options of a provider-spon- the New York and New Jersey area. In her Robinson has led his Grambling State teams sored organization [PSO] or medical savings show, Ms. Falu discusses the important issues accounts [MSA's]. to more than 400 victories. No other coach that affect the Hispanic community. She keeps The Balanced Budget Act improves the has reached the 400 win milestone. Along the them informed of events and issues that are AAPCC payment formula by setting a payment way, he has won 17 SWAC championships or notable and allows her listeners to participate floor of $350. This is extremely beneficial for cochampionships. Coach Robinson started and voice their opinions. counties in 43 States with below average pay- modestly at Grambling. Nevertheless, he grew She has worked hard and strived to be one ment rates between $177±$300 and offers to a giant in his profession. Yes, he has be- of the best commentators in Hispanic radio. hope to the more than 4 million beneficiaries come the greatest coach of all time, but his Ms. Falu received her bachelor of arts degree in rural and efficient markets that they may first priority always was the development of his from the University of Puerto Rico. She then soon have the choice to receive Medicare players. Coach Robinson nurtured his athletes went on to receive her masters of arts degree services through an HMO, PPO, MSA, or into competent, strong, professional players, in media from the New School for Social Re- PSO. Other important rural health care provi- not only in game of football but in game of life. search. She has also studied theater in Lon- sions incorporated into the Balanced Budget He has touched our hearts, our very souls. His don, England. A well-accomplished woman, Act only enhance the care and services avail- achievements will stand forever. she now enjoys reaching out to the Hispanic able to rural America: community through the airwaves. We are left to wonder what Grambling State Clarifying the Medicare payments to essen- For the last 17 years, Ms. Falu's sweet tial access community hospitals/rural primary University would have been like had Eddie voice has captured the hearts of all her listen- care hospitals. Robinson not walked through the doors of the ers. Her show has been transmitted from all Implementing a new Rural Emergency Ac- then Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial around the world, including Greece, Israel, cess Care Hospital Program. Institute in 1941. Would there have been the and many countries in Latin America. With her Increasing by 10 percent the Medicare mentoring, that steady hand guiding countless charisma and dedication, Ms. Falu serves the bonus payment to 20 percent for rural, primary young athletes to exalted levels of achieve- community by exposing and finding solutions care physicians practicing in health personnel ment? Would such players as Paul ``Tank'' to the problems it faces. shortage areas. Younger, Willie Brown, Willie Davis, Buck Bu- She has inspired many to accomplish their Reinstating the Medicare Dependent Hos- chanan, Doug Williams, Charlie Joiner, Frank goals and dreams. She has advised today's pital Program for facilities with 100 or fewer Lewis, Essex Johnson, Billy Newsome, John younger generation to enrich and develop their beds and at least 60-percent Medicare patient Mendenhall and over 200 other players have minds. She is a wonderful role model who has discharges or days. been able to leave their mark on the National served her community with dedication and dig- Establishing of a uniform reimbursement Football League? No. A Grambling State Uni- nity. I ask that my colleagues join me in hon- rate for physician assistants and nurse practi- oring this great woman, Malin Falu. tioners at 85 percent of the physician fee versity, indeed the American way of life, with- f schedule payment for outpatient services. out the contributions of Coach Robinson is not imaginable. Setting a floor for the area wage index used NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE in determining prospective payments to hos- Coach Robinson, served as a coach, father AGREEMENT pitals. and tutor to thousands of students at Gram- Prohibiting the Medicare Geographic Re- bling who have gone on to make great con- HON. PATSY T. MINK classification Review Board from rejecting ap- tributions to this Nation. Through his tenacity plications of rural referral centers on the basis OF HAWAII and guidance, he influenced countless young IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of area wage index. men and women who crossed his path. For Extending the rural referral center classifica- Friday, November 17, 1995 this and for all that Coach Robinson through tion for any hospital previously classified. Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, today on The health of rural health care and services his success has meant to our country, we in the 2-year anniversary of the North American to Medicare beneficiaries will only be improved the Congress offer our most heartfelt con- Free Trade Agreement, I rise to draw attention with the enactment of these very important gratulations to him. All Americans are ex- to NAFTA's failed promises. Two years ago I provisions in the Balanced Budget Act. I am tremely fortunate to have had the opportunity objected to the passage of NAFTA because of pleased to lend my support to this legislation. to experience the influence of this great man. Coach Eddie Robinson is a winner, and be- the thousands of American workers that would f be displaced from their jobs and the lack of cause he is, so are we all. TRIBUTE TO COACH EDDIE G. opportunities they would face in an uncertain ROBINSON The Congress salutes Coach Robinson market as a result of the trade agreement. today not only for winning more football Due to the present political and economical HON. WILLIAM J. JEFFERSON games than any other college coach, but for instability of Canada and Mexico, I am even who he is. more concerned today about the adverse re- OF LOUISIANA percussions of agreeing to NAFTA. In 1994, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the Department of Labor reported that 17,000 Friday, November 17, 1995 jobs were lost due to plant relocations to, or Mr. JEFFERSON. Mr. Speaker, we have increased imports from Mexico or Canada. honored many legends on this floorÐmen and Last year, 152 companies filed petitions under