October 13, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2085 Wilt Chamberlain, a Philadelphia native, hospital would face to their outpatient reim- residents in celebrating Harry's latest gift to began his career with the Philadelphia War- bursements. Milwaukee: the Harry and Rose Samson Fam- riors in 1959. He remained loyal to his team Skilled nursing facilities are under particular ily Resource Center. The Center will be home for many years, and to people all over Penn- burdens under the BBA as well. The prospec- to a new and expanded program of services at sylvania, as evidenced by the game at Her- tive payment system is reducing payments by Neighborhood House. These include support shey. To his credit and the credit of the NBA, 20 percent. Rural facilities, especially, do not groups to help parents and other childcare the value of bringing professional basketball to have the operating margins to absorb such a givers, employment and work search re- people in reaches otherwise untouched by the drastic cut. There are no accounting methods sources and workshops, a clothing exchange big city teams was well recognized. to increase payments for medically complex to help families meet the clothing needs of Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game will be cases. On a related front, many providers be- growing children, a play area that will serve remembered as one of the greatest athletic lieve the $1,500 annual cap on therapy serv- both parents and area in-home child care pro- accomplishments of all time. But it will be re- ices is arbitrary and very hurtful for seniors. viders, and a health and wellness program membered by the people of Hershey for the Many of these seniors have multiple therapy with diagnostic screenings, nutrition informa- great and imposing presence that left its im- needs which can run out in a matter of months tion, immunization and other services. pression there 37 years ago, and remains to under this tight cap. Mr. Speaker, wish I could be in Milwaukee this day. Changes in reimbursement for Graduate today to shake Harry's hand and thank him for f Medical Education unintentionally hurt family his gift of renewed hope. I wish I could join the practice training in districts such as my own. excited people touring the new Center for the BALANCED BUDGET ACT CUTS TO I hope that this body reviews the technical cor- first time. But I appreciate this opportunity to MEDICARE rections to GME reimbursements contained in share their story with my colleague and to my bill, H.R. 1222, which addressed this offer my most sincere appreciation to Harry HON. JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI issue. These corrections are especially impor- Samson for this unparalleled devotion and OF MAINE tant for rural communities, where there are still generosity and my heartfelt congratulations to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES shortages of family practice physicians. Neighborhood House on the dedication of the Wednesday, October 13, 1999 Finally, I hope we consider as part of BBA Harry and Rose Sampson Family Resource corrective legislation the incorporation of provi- Center. Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, Maine hos- sions of H.R. 1344, the Triple-A Rural Health f pitals, home health agencies, and skilled nurs- Improvement Act, developed by the Rural ing facilities are in a state of crisis. Congress Health Care Coalition of the House. This bill is A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF JOSEPH must address this issue before we recess for designed to address further the need for BARBERA the year. health care access for seniors in rural areas. I am proud of the fact that Maine health in- We must take the initiative to attack the HON. JAMES A. BARCIA stitutions are efficient and perform above the problem of inadequate provider reimburse- OF MICHIGAN norm nationwide in regards to quality of care. ments now. I urge my colleagues to support IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES But now our providers, especially those in the restoration of some of the most-harmful Wednesday, October 13, 1999 rural areas, are suffering disproportionately BBA cuts. under the Balanced Budget Act Medicare cuts, f Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to and our resources are stretched to the limit. pay tribute to Mr. Joseph Barbera, who, along With the BBA Medicare cuts, our hospitals will CELEBRATING THE HARRY AND with his partner Mr. William Hanna, created lose $338 million over 5 years. ROSE SAMSON FAMILY RE- some of the most beloved characters of the Maine has the lowest Medicare inpatient op- SOURCE CENTER twentieth century, including Scooby-Doo, Tom erating margins in the country. In fact, our op- and Jerry, Yogi Bear and Boo Boo, The erating margins are in the negative. Because HON. THOMAS M. BARRETT Flintstones, The Jetsons, Johnny Quest, of these already too-low Medicare reimburse- OF WISCONSIN Huckleberry Hound, and Quick Draw McGraw. ment rates, any cuts to Medicare hurt Maine IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES For many generations of young viewers, these that much harder. There are no more margins characters have served both as barometers of left to cut. Cost shifting will occur and this will Wednesday, October 13, 1999 American culture and as tools for shaping the hurt all Maine citizens. Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I way these viewers relate to their family and One area which particularly concerns me appreciate this opportunity to share with my friends. And not just in this countryÐHanna- and my constituents is the effect of the interim colleagues a few words of congratulations to Barbera shows have been seen in nearly 100 payment system on home health agencies. the Neighborhood House of Milwaukee on the countries and translated into 22 languages. It The burden home health agencies have been dedication of its Harry and Rose Samson is with great pleasure that I speak today about asked to bear is extreme, especially when Family Resource Center, as well as my sin- part of that duo, Mr. Barbera, who is being considering that the losses are spread among cere appreciation for the generosity of Harry honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award only 40 providers in the state. I hope that a fix Samson. by the Italian American Cultural Society. can be developed for home health providers Neighborhood House has a long and rich Joseph Roland Barbera was born in New that includes the elimination of the 15 percent history of service to children and families in York City in 1911 to Vincente and Frances reduction in payments due to begin October my hometown of Milwaukee, WI. Its program Barbera. In the early 1930's in New York City, 2000. Home health agencies in my district services are delivered in a community setting he began his famous animation career as an also ask that an outlier payment be added to and are tailored to meet the diverse needs of accountant, and fortunately for us, found that the Interim Payment System to adequately ac- neighborhood residents. The goal has always his more exceptional skills lay elsewhere. He count for high-need, high-cost patients. A flexi- been to build ``Healthy Families in a Strong started supplementing his work by drawing ble overpayment schedule, interest-free, would Community,'' and Neighborhood House has cartoons for magazines, and soon had a job be helpful to providers, as well as a gradual never forgotten that the one implies the other. as an animator. In 1937 his career took an- raise in the per beneficiary limits for agencies I have respected Harry Samson for years, other turn, and Mr. Barbera joined MGM Stu- falling under the national median and the ex- and I have the deepest regard and admiration dio's cartoon unit, where he met Mr. Hanna tension of Periodic Interim Payments. for his commitment to improving the lives of and the two immediately produced one of their I am very concerned about the effects of the others in our community. Harry and his late most famous creations. Their first collaboration outpatient prospective payment system and wife, rose have led by example, giving gener- was titled ``Puss Gets the Boot,'' which led to the severe cuts Maine providers will experi- ously of their financial resources, their time two of America's most entertaining pals, Tom ence under this reimbursement system. By and their creative energy to support the Chil- and Jerry. The duo would eventually receive HCFA's own admission in the May 7 published dren's Outing Association, Congregation Sha- seven Academy Awards throughout the next rule, rural hospitals will take the biggest hit in lom, the Next Door Foundation, the Jewish two decades for their cat-and-mouse team. reimbursements from the outpatient PPS. The Community Center, and other worthy organi- In 1957, when MGM closed its animation total reduction in the first year for all institu- zations. studio, Mr. Barbera joined with Mr. Hanna in tions will be $900 million, or a 5.7 percent av- Today in Milwaukee, Harry Samson's many forming Hanna-Barbera Productions. A year erage reduction per facility. I hope we con- friends and admirers will join Neighborhood later the studio had won the first of eight sider placing a ceiling on the level of cut any house leadership and staff and neighborhood Emmy Awards for ``The Huckleberry Hound
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