[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 8 (Thursday, February 3, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         NO HEALTH CARE CRISIS?

  (Mr. SKAGGS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SKAGGS. Mr. Speaker, some people around here are saying to our 
health-care system: You're really not so bad off. Take two aspirin and 
call me in a few years if your symptoms persist. I say the problems are 
more serious, and we need tougher medicine.
  I recently got this letter from a woman who lives in Boulder, CO, who 
would probably agree. She writes:

       I recently lost my job. My problem is health insurance. In 
     order to remain with the same [insurance] company under 
     COBRA, I would have to pay over $500 per month for my family 
     of five. Before losing my job, 25% of my paycheck, after 
     taxes, went towards health insurance. * * * Health care is 
     out of control. * * * Soon only the rich will be able to 
     afford the basics. I appeal to you as a mother and a 
     constituent, disease is never fair, but maybe you can help to 
     put some fairness back in health.

  Those who say there is nothing wrong should get outside Washington, 
DC, and listen to those who have to live with the current system. 
Listen to the small business owners who cannot get affordable health 
insurance; listen to millions of insured Americans whose insurance 
limits can cut off their coverage just when they need it most; listen 
to the millions of Americans with no insurance who end up getting 
minimal but very expensive care; and listen to our neighbors with 
preexisting conditions--nearly one-third of our people--who cannot get 
coverage or who are stuck in jobs they do not like because they will 
lose their insurance if they leave.
  I think you will be surprised at what you hear--to real people, the 
health care crisis is all too real, and they expect Congress to work 
with the President to cure it.

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