 National Association of Counties * Washington, D.C. Vol. 31, No. 5 * March 15, 1999 Previous story | Table of Contents | Next story Shoring up Social Security, Adding teachers, reforming HMOs, By Mary Ann Barton
Using part of the $70 billion budget surplus to secure the future of Social Security and Medicare is a top priority of Democrats in the 106th Congress, according to Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas) who addressed NACo Legislative Conference delegates March 1. "There’s nothing more important we could do," said Frost, who chairs the Democratic Caucas. "If we do that, interest rates will stay down and borrowing costs will stay down." Democrats want to take 62 percent of the projected budget surplus of $70 billion to strengthen Social Security and pay down the national debt and spend 15 percent of it to strengthen Medicare, the 11-term congressman said. "If we’re successful it will have an effect on the economy and the Social Security and Medicare systems will remain strong for years and years," he said. Also high on the Democrats’ agenda, Frost said, is bolstering public schools, reforming HMOs and providing targeted tax relief to the middle class. Saying that the "single most important issue on a local level" is education, he said Democratic proposals include hiring an additional 100,000 teachers for public schools. HMO reform should include the "ability to sue HMOs," he said. "I want the strongest possible patient bill of rights." On tax relief, Frost said proposals will be considered that target tax cuts for the middle class, specifically those who spend a lot of money on long-term care. Tax credits for stay-at-home parents will also be explored. The close margin in the House (the Republicans have a six-member majority) is of great significance, Frost said. "We must operate on a bipartisan basis if we’re going to get anything done in the next two years." On other fronts important to counties, Frost:
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