Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to B. T., January 29, 1996

January 29, 1996 Thank you for contacting me about a variety of issues including the future of Medicare, the Balanced Budget, foreign aid, and congressional “perks.” Your viewpoint on these issues is important to me. Since you wrote to me about a number of concerns, I will respond to each separately. Medicare - For the second year in a row, the Social Security and Medicare Board of Trustees has reported that the Medicare Trust Fund will be exhausted in seven years. Once Medicare has depleted its reserve funds in 2002 -- everyone -- both current and future retirees — will have to pay more. The Republican leadership is dedicated to saving, preserving, and strengthening what is clearly a good program. My Republican colleagues and I favor opening Medicare to provide recipients a variety of health plans from which to choose in addition to the standard Medicare package. However, those who wish to keep their current level of coverage under Medicare as well as maintain their current doctor-patient relationship will be free to do so. I believe the Medicare system must be reformed but in a way which preserves your ability to have a say over what kind of care you will receive. Balanced Budget - The Republican leadership of this Congress is committed to restoring sanity to the budgetary process and to putting an end to the irresponsible, free-spending ways of the past. Many are skeptical of our commitment to this task, however, I can assure you that my colleagues and I are honestly dedicated to cutting federal spending and to balancing the federal budget. This will be a difficult task, but we must fact this challenge honestly if we are to provide our children and grandchildren with the same opportunities and prosperity past generations have enjoyed. As part of the Contract With America, House Republicans promised to balance the budget by 2002, and despite the defeat of the Balanced Budget Amendment in the Senate, we remain committed to this pledge. Several months ago, the Congress made good on this promise and produced a budget resolution which balances the federal budget by slowing growth and cutting taxes. This blueprint is in sharp contrast to past budgets which raised taxes, stunted economic growth, and only added to our national debt. Under our reasonable budget, which I strongly support, federal spending during the next seven years will actually increase by $2.4 trillion when compared to the previous seven years before the deficit is brought under control. Contrary to the doom and gloom liberal free spenders, this approach provides a gradual, soft landing for our out-of-control federal spending.