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Congressman Bacchus reported that the previous Secretary of <br />Veterans Affairs recommended that Orlando be the site of the <br />proposed Veterans Hospital for East Central Florida. The Brevard <br />site was proposed as a joint venture with the Air Force. <br />Congressman Bacchus felt it would be preferable to build one <br />hospital instead of two, especially in view of the shortage of <br />federal funds. The General Accounting Office performed a study and <br />concluded that the Brevard County location would be preferable for <br />a number of reasons, including cost, access, and overall quality of <br />care. The Air Force already has $20 million allotted, so it would <br />save a great deal in construction costs to build a shared facility. <br />Further, based on the experience at other facilities, the quality <br />of care would be better and the operating costs lower at a shared <br />facility. Jesse Brown is now Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and <br />the issue will be revisited during the next fiscal year. <br />Edra Young, 1151 Clairmont Street, Sebastian, urged <br />Congressman Bacchus to pursue the idea of having a federal records <br />depository in Indian River County. She felt it could be an <br />excellent stimulant to the local economy, and stressed that <br />genealogy is now the fastest-growing hobby among senior citizens. <br />Congressman Bacchus recalled that he pursued having a federal <br />records depository in this area some time ago, but was not <br />successful. He indicated he would try again, but was not <br />.optimistic. <br />Bill Roolage asked for a copy of the Cable TV legislation. He <br />also discussed the Social Security tax, and the fact that the <br />unified budget uses the Social Security fund to offset other <br />federal budget items. <br />Congressman Bacchus explained that the Social Security fund is <br />a trust fund on paper, but in reality it is nothing more than a <br />claim against future tax receipts of the federal government. He <br />felt that it should be separated from the rest of the federal <br />budget, which is how trust funds are handled at the state level. <br />Discussion ensued regarding the magnitude of the federal <br />budget deficit and concerns about inflation. <br />Beverly O'Neill, Hospital Taxing District Trustee, asked about <br />the status of health care reform. <br />Congressman Bacchus felt that there is a need for market-based <br />reform that would squeeze out inefficiencies and allow competition <br />at the local level. He explained that President Clinton intends <br />to submit a bill by the first of May. <br />7 <br />FEB 9 199 �aoK �� Fr�F:3� <br />!� I <br />