February 19, 1999

Start Preparing Now To Attend NRLC '99 June 24-26 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Chris Burke"Corky" Thatcher from the hit television series Life Goes Onwill join musicians John and Joe DeMasi to present an uplifting concert the entire family will enjoy at the 8:00 p.m. General Session June 24. See story, page 19 and ad, page 8.

Offering energy, vision, and enthusiasm young people were a major component of the March for Life. See editorial, page 2.

NRLC's Congressional Agenda For 1999

By Douglas Johnson, NRLC Federal Legislative Director

Some important decisions regarding legislative priorities will not be made for some time and therefore National Right to Life cannot yet lay out the complete pro-life agenda for the year. And of course, unanticipated issues may arise. With those caveats, what follows is a brief review of some of the legislative issues that NRLC expects to be addressed in Congress.

Quayle, Bauer, Kasich
Announce For White House

By Carol Long Tobias, NRL PAC Director

Three more pro-life candidates are throwing their hats into the ring. Former Vice President Dan Quayle, former Family Research Council President Gary Bauer, and Congressman John Kasich (R- Ohio) are all seeking the Republican nomination for President of the United States.

• A Parable for Our Times
• Even Pro-Aborts Are Discovering Women Are Pro-Life
• Members Again Cautioned About "American Right to Life" Telemarketing Campaign
• Gov. Bush's Amicus Brief Opposes Tax-Funded Abortion
• 27th Annual National Right to Life Convention
• Deepening the Pro-Life Commitment
• Proudly Pro-Life Awards Dinner
• California Program to Help Women Find Abortion Alternatives Canceled
• Attorney William "Bill" Ball Remembered As Pro-Life Champion
• Paul Greenberg
  Night scene, night thoughts
• A College Student's Experience at the March for Life
• Nationwide Events Mark 26th Anniversary of
  Roe v. Wade
• The Profit of Hemlock
  The Suicide Guru Boasts of the Money He'll Save
• TV Star Chris Burke Promises Rousing Fun - - With a Message - - at NRL Convention
• Abortion Tests National Character
• Cardinal Keeler Appointed Chairman of Bishops' Pro-Life Committee
• The Effect of Humanizing the Unborn
• We Can Overcome
• Oregon Reports 15 Euthanasia Deaths
• Are You Available to help the Unborn?
• New Campaign for Lethal Embryo Research Skirts the Law
  Alternatives to Embryo Research
• NRLC Congressional Scorecards Available
• Be A Friend for Life
• ACTION ALERT
  
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MEDICARE REFORM

A report to Congress from the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare is due on March 1. Preliminary material from the commission contains the following predictions based on current trends:
* The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 will ensure solvency of the Medicare Part A trust fund until the year 2008; then the fund will be bankrupt unless reforms are enacted.
* Annual Medicare spending will climb from $207 billion in 1997 to $2.2-$3 trillion by the year 2030 - - more than the entire current federal budget.
* Out-of-pocket expenses of Medicare beneficiaries will rise.
* 77 million "baby boomers" (born 1946-1964) will begin entering the Medicare system in the year 2011.
* The number of workers per beneficiary will drop from about 3.9 in the year 2000 to 2.2 in 2040.
* Without changes, Medicare payroll taxes would have to rise from 2.9% to 5.6% by the year 2030 for full funding of in-patient hospital services.