[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]

 
                     THERE IS A HEALTH-CARE CRISIS

  (Mr. HAMBURG asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HAMBURG. Mr. Speaker, we do have a health care crisis and a 
constituent of mine, Tom Robson from Windsor, CA, lives with it every 
day.
  Six years ago, Mr. Robson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. A 
forestry specialist, Tom had to quit his job and lost his health 
benefits. Later, Tom found a job as a swimming pool technician, which 
offered health insurance. But then the company changed its carrier to 
lower its health costs, and Tom was dropped from coverage. Tom has 
since been denied coverage from several insurance companies because of 
his condition.
  Mr. Robson's prescription drugs for November and December cost 
$2,000. Their church paid $800; Mr. and Mrs. Robson are struggling to 
pay the rest. Tom does not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare.
  Mr. Speaker, the Robson's are a hard-working couple. As best he can, 
Tom helps his wife run her window washing business. But their combined 
income is modest, and for years they could not afford to buy health 
insurance for Mrs. Robson. Last month, she purchased insurance for 
herself, but her husband again was denied coverage.
  Mr. Speaker, Tom Robson and millions of people like him are living 
proof that we have a health care crisis. I urge my colleagues to not 
break faith with Americans who live with the crisis every day of their 
lives.

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