November 17, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 2211 The Detroit community, and indeed the Na- has become one of northeastern Pennsylva- HEALTHY CHOICE: BALANCING tion, have benefited from his efforts to pro- nia's most important and influential political THE FEDERAL BUDGET AND IM- mote understanding and healing. It is with joy and community leaders, Rena Baumgartner. I PROVING MEDICARE and sincerity that I thank Arthur Johnson. Be- am proud to have been asked to participate in cause he never allowed anyone to shackle his a tribute to Rena and to be able to tell my col- HON. STEVE GUNDERSON mind, he made it possible for others to know leagues of her contributions and accomplish- OF WISCONSIN the beauty of freedom. ments. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f As an active member of her community, Friday, November 17, 1995 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rena has participated in numerous clubs and Mr. GUNDERSON. Mr. Speaker, within the GIFT REFORM ACT organizations which work diligently to promote past few weeks, Congress has taken historic the betterment of and ensure safety to the steps to balance the Federal budget and im- SPEECH OF general public. Rena has worked with the prove the way the Federal Government pro- HON. WILLIAM J. MARTINI West End Ambulance and West End Fire vides and delivers health care services to the OF NEW JERSEY Company Auxiliaries as well as the Polk more than 36 million Medicare beneficiaries. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Township Fire Company Auxiliary. She is a The goal of this reform initiative has been to secure the future of Medicare for today and to- Thursday, November 16, 1995 member of the Exchange Club of the Pocono Mountain. In addition to these organizations morrow while providing beneficiaries with bet- Mr. MARTINI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in and others, Rena remains an active member ter benefits, additional health care options, support of the Gingrich amendment to the Gift in the United Effort Methodist Church. and lower out of pocket costs. All of this will Ban Reform Act. be accomplished while slowing the overall We were elected to Congress to conduct Rena may be best known for her leadership growth of Federal Medicare spending. I com- the peoples' business. We were not elected to positions within the Democratic Party organi- mend the House and Senate Committees for feed at the trough of the Gucci clad lobbyists zation. Since 1968 Rena has been active in their work to improve and preserve Medicare. and special interests that dominate our Na- the political arena, beginning as a Democratic Many of the Medicare provisions in the Bal- tion's Capitol. township committee person. From that posi- anced Budget Act will benefit the ailing health If Members of Congress want to enjoy fine tion, Rena graduated to become the Assistant care delivery system in many small commu- dining, golf excursions, and exotic vacations, Secretary of the Monroe County Democratic nities in my western Wisconsin district and then they should be willing to pick up the tab. Committee and eventually the Chairperson of identical communities throughout rural Amer- The American people have grown sick and the Monroe County Democratic Committee, a ica. tired of perks and privileges extended to Mem- position which she still holds today. In terms of rural health care, I believe the bers of Congress. most dynamic Medicare improvement was Rena's involvement in the Democratic Party Our constituents do not receive unsolicited changing the adjusted average per capita cost was not limited to local politics. On the state- gifts and meals and neither should we. [AAPCC] payment formula. As the cochair of By eliminating the potential for corruption wide level, Rena was appointed Deputy Chair- the Rural Health Care Coalition, the dedication and perception of impropriety, House Resolu- person of the Democratic State Party and in of the coalition enabled us to work with the tion 250 will help to restore the American peo- 1984 was made Vice-Chair of the party. leadership during House and conference com- ples trust in elected officials and the Con- On the national level, her involvement in the mittee deliberations to craft a new formula fa- gress. Democratic Party is deserving of even more vorable to all beneficiaries regardless of where It's time to clean up this institution and re- recognition. Rena has been a member of the they live. In this endeavor, the Rural Health store the public confidence in our Nation's Care Coalition had the good fortune to receive leaders. Democratic National Committee since 1979 and has taken a leading role in every national outstanding technical assistance, counsel and We have a moral imperative to hold our- support from the Fairness Coalition, represent- selves to a higher standard of conduct then election since becoming a member. During the last three presidential elections she served as ing a diverse group of hospital systems, hos- practices of the past. pital associations, managed care providers, The American people have demanded a a delegate to the Democratic National Con- ventions. She has served on the executive and insurers. Federal Government that is open and account- What does an improved AAPCC payment committee of the Democratic National Wom- able. We need to assure them that all citizens, formula mean for Medicare beneficiaries? The ens Caucus and has been the Treasurer and not just special interest and lobby groups will AAPCC is the total amount of Medicare fee- have access to elected officials. Secretary of the Democratic National Commit- for-service dollars spent on doctors and hos- By passing the Gingrich proposal, we can tee's Eastern Regional Caucus. Presently, pitals annually in a county, divided by the demonstrate our sincerity and dedication to Rena is helping to select the delegation which number of Medicare beneficiaries in that coun- ensuring that congressional activities are con- will be sent to the 1996 Democratic National ty. It also represents the dollars available to ducted honorably and legitimately. Convention. No one can question Rena's com- beneficiaries to purchase health care choices The overwhelming majority of my colleagues mitment to the Democratic Party. are sincere, hard working, and dedicated pub- under the new Medicare-plus program. For Grandma Smith living in the Bronx, NY, lic servants. I am not of the opinion that Mem- Certainly, an accomplishment that Rena can her 1995 AAPCC payment is $679 a month bers of this body are bought and sold over a be extremely proud of is her family. With her and she can enroll in a health maintenance or- dinner or golf outing. husband William, Rena has raised two won- However, by eliminating gifts we remove all derful children, her daughter Robin and her ganization [HMO] providing the required Medi- doubt of impropriety and wrongdoing. son Bryan. In addition to having such a posi- care services and additional benefits or tradi- In my opinion this is all about trust and per- tive role on her own children, Rena is also tional fee-for-service. Grandma Smith's brother living in Fall River County, SD, has a monthly ception. By banning all gifts and junkets, we able to play an active role in the upbringing of payment of $177. Unfortunately, because of can prove to our constituents and to the Amer- her two grandsons. Throughout all of her other the low payment an HMO is not available to ican people that we are, in fact, sincere about undertakings Rena managed to keep her fam- cleaning up Congress. him, just the traditional fee-for-service. A low ily at the center of her attention and in a posi- AAPCC payment has a devastating effect on I urge my colleagues to support the Gingrich tion of importance above everything. proposal. the health care choices available to bene- Mr. Speaker, my close friend Rena ficiaries living in rural counties and in those f Baumgartner has been a caring mother and counties with efficient health care markets. RENA BAUMGARTNER wife. She also has been a strong leader in her Why should there be a 367-percent payment community and throughout Monroe County. Fi- difference between these two Medicare bene- HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI nally, Rena Baumgartner has been a true ficiaries just because of where they live? OF PENNSYLVANIA leader in the Democratic Party. I salute and The situation facing Grandma Smith's broth- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES thank Rena for everything she has contributed er is not unusual. Approximately 4 million beneficiaries live in counties that have access Friday, November 17, 1995 to the betterment of northeastern Pennsylva- nia and the Democratic Party. only to Medicare fee-for-service. My home Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today State of Wisconsin, with 769,000 Medicare to pay tribute to a personal friend of mine who beneficiaries, is 1 of 15 States that currently 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