[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       SOME FACE FINANCIAL RUIN RESULTING FROM HEALTH CARE CRISIS

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, a year ago when this Congress took to the 
task of reforming our Nation's health care system, we did so because we 
knew that skyrocketing health care costs were hurting our economy and 
hurting our people. And, we knew it was time to act.
  But, now, suddenly a year later when the task has become more 
daunting and the rhetoric has given way to the work, there are some who 
are willing to throw up their hands and do nothing. They now claim 
there is no health care crisis. No health care crisis. Tell that to the 
young woman who wrote to me recently.
  She writes that when she was 24 years old she underwent surgery and 
conventional radiation for a large pituitary tumor. In the 6 years 
since, her medical bills and prescription costs have soared, some 
covered by insurance and some not. Due to the economic recession in 
Connecticut, she has lost two jobs and has been bumped around from one 
insurance company to another. In some cases she was forced to wait over 
a year before coverage could begin again, due to preexisting condition 
clauses.
  She writes to me, and I quote:

       ``I am now just thirty years old and fear that with the 
     present state of our health care system, my husband and I 
     will be paupers by the time I am forty.''

  This young woman and her family have a health care crisis. Our Nation 
has a health care crisis when one illness can drive one family to the 
brink of financial ruin.

                          ____________________