Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to D. C., March 5, 1997

(Congress of ttie Slmteb States ЩоШ ot iUpresmtattoes 2Uasl)ington, DC 20515-2002 “гжайкайг1 J№SS^S£SS. March 5, 1997 Thank you for contacting me to express your support for a balanced budget. You are correct in that we must find and eliminate wasteful government spending if we are to succeed in achieving a bipartisan balanced budget. During the 104th Congress, my colleagues and I saved the American people an estimated $53 billion. While I am proud of this record of achievement, much work remains to be done. In order to achieve a bipartisan balanced budget plan, it is essential that we address entitlement spending as well. Spending on entitlement programs is the largest component of the federal budget, accounting for approximately half of all expenditures. Moreover, the cost of these programs is growing at an unsustainable rate. According to the Medicare Board of Trustees, the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (also known as Medicare Part A) will be bankrupt by 2001 . Moreover, an estimated one out of every ten Medicare dollars (approximately $1 7 to $20 billion per year) is lost to fraud and abuse. Slowing the growth of entitlement spending, and ensuring that every federal dollar is spent in the most efficient manner possible, are the two keys to achieving meaningful entitlement reform. As a member of the House Budget Committee, I will push for a fair and equitable balanced budget plan which includes entitlement reform. During the 104th Congress, the House leadership offered a reasonable Medicare reform plan which fell victim to demagogic attacks by liberals seeking to scare seniors in order to win votes. Now that the elections are over, I hope they will set politics aside and join Republicans at the negotiating table. The future of Medicare, and of our children’s economic future, may depend on it. Once again, thanks for contacting me regarding this issue. Please contact me again if I may be of assistance in the future. Sincerely, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress