[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 9, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]


                              {time}  1650
 
                   HEALTH CARE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barca of Wisconsin). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Bonior] is 
recognized for 60 minutes.
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, there's a story my grandfather used to love 
to tell about the time he immigrated from Ukraine to Hamtramck, MI.
  The town was filled with Polish and Ukranian immigrants. And one 
time, a Polish immigrant robbed a bank. He was caught right away, but 
he didn't have the money on him. And he didn't speak a word of English.
  The police chief got an interpreter, sat them both down in the jail, 
and told the interpreter, ``Ask this man where the money is.''
  The interpreter asked, but got no answer.
  The chief took out his gun, placed it on the table, and said: ``You 
tell this guy he better answer or he's in big trouble.''
  The interpreter asked again, but again, he got no answer.
  Finally, the chief picked up the gun, pointed it at the bank robber's 
forehead and said, ``You tell this guy he better talk or he'll be 
sorry.''
  The interpreter delivered the message, and this time the robber said: 
``I confess. I stole $100,000 and dropped the money in a dry well 
behind the bank. The money's there.''
  The interpreter turned to the chief and said: ``The robber says he's 
not afraid to die.''
  Mr. Speaker, I've been thinking about this story a lot lately as I've 
watched the health care debate unfold.
  Ever since the President presented his plan to provide guaranteed 
private health insurance for all Americans that can never be taken 
away, we've heard a lot of different interpretations about how this 
plan will work and what it all means for the American people.
  But the best piece of advice I've heard so far hasn't come from the 
experts or the pundits, it came from a woman in my own district who I 
met at a town hall meeting.
  We were talking about health care reform, and she said, ``David, I 
want you to know one thing. In my entire life, I have followed one 
general rule when it comes to health care, one general rule that has 
served me well through the years. And that is, never go to a doctor 
whose office plants have died.''
  She wasn't telling me that she has a green thumb. She was telling me 
to use common sense.
  And that seems like pretty good advice when you're trying to sort 
through all the voices in this health care debate.
  For instance, we see a lot of commercials now attacking the 
President's plan, calling it a billion dollar bureaucracy, but then we 
realize that the ads are bought and paid for by the same people who are 
jacking up our premiums, dropping our kids from coverage when they get 
sick, and running our health care system into the ground.
  Common sense makes me wonder: Are they honest critics? Do they really 
want reform? Or are they trying to protect the status quo?
  We hear other voices who are Johnny one-notes: Every single time our 
Government tries to help people and improve lives they say it's 
socialism, big Government, tax and spend. In fact, they said the same 
exact thing about Social Security and Medicare.
  Common sense makes me wonder: Are they constructive critics? Do they 
really want reform? Or are they just against whatever this President is 
for?
  And then there are others who practice denial, who say we don't have 
a health care crisis. Most of them are the same people who also said we 
didn't have a recession a few years ago.
  Common sense makes me wonder: Are they realistic critics? Do they 
really want reform? Or are they like the interpreter in that jail cell, 
who had other motives?
  There are a lot of voices interpreting the President's health care 
plan these days, but when you use common sense, I think it makes it 
easier to sort through all the noise and focus on the important 
questions.
  And there are important questions to be answered, there's no doubt 
about it.
  People are talking about health care in grocery stores, in church 
basements, and around their kitchen tables.
  They know that health care affects us all like no other issue. They 
know that for health care reform to work, they must all play a part and 
take responsibility for this system.
  They're asking honest questions. And I think they deserve honest 
answers.
  Because people have a right to know.
  Mr. Speaker, over the coming months, I have reserved time on this 
floor every night to talk about health, to talk about the issues that 
confront us, and to answer some of the questions that I'm hearing from 
people back home.
  I may not be Marcus Welby. I might not even be Doogie Howser, but I 
think I can give people some idea about how this health plan works, and 
how it will affect their lives.
  For instance, I have a lot of people who write me and say, ``David, 
how many different health care plans are currently before Congress?''
  Mr. Speaker, there are at least six major health care plans before 
Congress right now.
  But the President's plan is the only plan that provides all Americans 
with guaranteed private health insurance that can never be taken away.
  Don't just take my word for it. Yesterday, the Congressional Budget 
Office--which is a highly respected, nonpartisan office that provides 
budget analysis and advice to Congress--issued a report on the 
President's plan.
  The CBO found that not only will the President's plan indeed 
guarantee all Americans private health insurance with 100 percent 
effectiveness, but within 8 years time, it will reduce health care 
costs by $30 billion.
  And in 10 years time, it will reduce costs by $150 billion.
  And the CBO also found that it will eventually cut the deficit.
  The other plans are very thoughtful plans, proposed by very 
thoughtful people, and they all have some good qualities about them, 
but they all lack the one essential element of providing guaranteed 
private health insurance that can never be taken away.
  The American people have spoken on this.
  In a recent USA Today poll, four out of every five Americans--79 
percent--said guaranteed health care must be the cornerstone of health 
care reform.
  Like the CBO said, unless you count all the costs, and get everybody 
into the same system, where you can keep track of those costs, we'll 
never get this system under control.
  And that's why the President said he would veto any plan that doesn't 
guarantee private health insurance for everyone.
  And his plan is the only plan that does that.
  But you may ask, ``David, how will this new system work? How is it 
going to affect me?''
  The answer is, the President's plan builds upon what works today in 
the private sector--by expanding the employer-based system we have now 
to provide guaranteed private insurance for all Americans.
  Here's what that means in English: After reform, almost all of us 
will be able to sign up for a health plan where we work, just like we 
do today.
  You'll get brochures that give you easy-to-understand information on 
the health plans in your area--including an evaluation of the quality 
of care and a consumer satisfaction survey. And you can choose the plan 
that's best for you and your family.
  If you're self-employed or unemployed, you sign up at the health 
alliance in your area--which is made up of consumers and local business 
owners who bargain with insurance companies for affordable health care 
for you and your family.
  But the big difference is, after reform, every American will receive 
one of these: a health security card.
  The card guarantees you a comprehensive package of benefits that can 
never be taken away.
  And no matter what happens--if you get sick, change jobs, lose your 
job, move, start a small business, or retire--you'll never lose your 
coverage.
  But, many people ask me, what if someone in my family has a 
preexisting condition? Will they be covered?
  The answer is ``yes''--under the health security plan, it will be 
illegal to refuse to insure people just because they've been sick.
  Not long ago, a couple named Bob and Michele Peterson came to 
Washington to tell their story.
  Their 9-year-old son was diagnosed with a potentially fatal blood 
disease and needed a bone marrow transplant. So far the bills to care 
for their son have exceeded $800,000. But the family found out halfway 
through that their insurance policy has a lifetime limit and won't pay 
more than $250,000.
  Three out of four Americans with insurance today have lifetime limits 
and most of them don't even know it.
  This was an upper middle class family with good health insurance and 
now they're forced to hold community fundraisers to raise the money 
that will keep their son alive because they can't find another 
insurance company who will cover his preexisting condition.
  Michele says with tears in her eyes, ``I thought we were safe. I 
thought we were in the clear, Now, we have $700,000 in bills and nobody 
will cover us.''
  After reform passes, Bob and Michele's son can never be denied 
coverage again. Health plans will have to accept people--healthy or 
not. They won't be able to charge you more for being sick.
  And most important, they can't cut you off when you reach a lifetime 
limit. Because the President's plan abolishes lifetime limits for good.
  But, I also get letters that say, ``David, I have a good plan through 
my employer now. Will the new plan be as good?''
  The answer is ``yes''--for the vast majority of Americans, the 
Clinton comprehensive benefits package will cover at least as much as 
the current one. It's as good as the benefits offered by most Fortune 
500 companies. And you can never lose it.
  In fact, the President's plan is also the only private-based plan 
that specifies what benefits are covered.
  The other plans leave that chore to a commission to decide benefits--
only after the bill is signed into law.
  Under the President's plan, you will be covered for hospital care, 
doctors visits, emergency and laboratory services, substance abuse, and 
mental health treatments.
  And for the first time ever, prescription drugs will be covered.
  In today's system, your insurance may cover you if you get sick, but 
it won't pay a penny to keep you healthy in the first place.
  The President's plan will encourage prevention by paying 100 percent 
of the cost for regular checkups, well-baby visits, mammogram, Pap 
smears and other preventive care--to keep people healthy in the first 
place, so we can avoid more costly care down the road.
  But many of the people back home also want to know: Will I still be 
able to choose my own plan and doctor?
  The answer is ``yes''--you'll always be able to choose your own plan 
and doctor. In fact, you'll probably have more choices than you have 
right now.''
  Under today's system, rising health care costs have forced many 
businesses to limit the health plans for their employees. Nearly three-
quarters of small- and medium-sized businesses today offer just one 
plan, meaning you're stuck with that plan and the doctors it covers.
  More than half of America doesn't really have any choice today at 
all.
  Under the health security plan, no boss will be able to tell you 
which doctor to go to or which plan you can join.
  Every American will have the choice among a number of high quality 
plans.
  You can stay with your current doctor, join a network of doctors and 
hospitals, or join a health maintenance organization. Depending on the 
area you live in, you could be offered many choices within those three 
main areas. Your doctors can be part of any plan they want to.
  Every year, you can switch plans. And if your doctor switches plans 
you can move with him.
  Mr. Speaker, many people also ask me if premiums and copayments will 
go up under the new system.
  The answer is ``no''--premiums and copayments will be brought under 
control.
  You know how the system works today--you may have a plan with a $250 
premium. But if you get sick just once, you may see that premium shoot 
up to $2,500--and there's nothing you can do but pay it.
  Under the health security plan, insurance companies won't be able to 
charge you more just because you're sick.
  And if your employer is paying 100 percent of your premium now, they 
can continue to do so under reform.
  Mr. Speaker, a lot of older Americans who are living on fixed incomes 
write me to ask if they'll be able to stay on Medicare.
  The answer is ``yes''--under the President's plan, older Americans 
who receive Medicare will still be able to receive their Medicare 
benefits exactly as they do today.
  In fact, Medicare will be made stronger, because for the first time 
ever, Medicare will cover prescription drugs and no senior will ever 
again have to choose between the food they need to survive and the 
medicine they need to live.
  Under this plan, old people won't be made to pay more just to pay for 
health care for young people.
  The plan also takes the first steps toward covering long-term care.
  And if you decide that you want different coverage, older Americans 
will be able to choose among different health plans that may offer 
fuller benefit packages and lower payments.
  Finally, I get a lot of questions about cost. People say: ``David, 
how is this plan going to control costs?''
  We all know we need to reduce costs. Lately, there have been some 
evidence that medical inflation has gone down a little in the past year 
and some say that's proof that we don't need health care reform.
  It reminds me of that old ballplayer who said, ``You know, most 
people think we earn $3 or $4 million a year. They don't realize we 
only make $1 million a year.''
  The point is, it's still too much money.
  The only reason costs have gone down is because we're talking about 
health care reform.
  In the past 20 years, major health care legislation has been proposed 
twice and in both cases, special interests costs dipped because special 
interests banded together and went on their best behavior.
  But as soon as the threat of reform passed, costs shot right back up. 
We can't be fooled again.
  The fact is, health care costs have quadrupled in the past decade. 
Estimates are that without reform, they will eat up $1 out of every $5 
our nation spends by the year 2000.
  It's no wonder.
  Insurance companies are raising your premiums.
  Drug companies are charging five and six times more than they charge 
in other countries for the same drugs.
  And unnecessary paperwork and fraud are sending costs through the 
roof.
  As I said earlier, the Congressional Budget Office issued a report 
just yesterday that said within 8 years time, the President's plan will 
reduce health care costs by $30 billion.
  And in 10 years time, it will reduce costs by $150 billion.
  Not only that, but the CBO also found that it will eventually cut the 
deficit.
  How will it do all this?
  The Clinton plan will get costs under control in a number of ways. It 
limits the growth of health care premiums. As I mentioned a minute ago, 
it stops insurance companies from raising your premiums if you get 
sick.
  It forces costs down by putting consumers in the drivers seat and 
making the insurance companies compete for their business.
  It insists that drug companies and insurance companies charge fair 
prices.
  It cracks down on fraud and eliminates excess paperwork. This plan 
replaces the 20 forms you have to fill out every time you go to a 
doctor with one simple, standard form that everyone will use.
  It changes the incentives doctors have, emphasizing preventive care 
to treat people before they get really sick.
  And it introduces competition among health plans, to give consumers 
choices among cost-effective, high-quality plans.
  Those are some of the reasons why I support the President's plan.
  Mr. Speaker, those are just some of the questions I get. And those 
people who tell me if doesn't matter what plan we enact into law remind 
me of the old story about the veterinarian and taxidermist who shared 
the same office.
  Their slogan was ``either way you get your dog back.''
  There is a difference between what plan we choose and the President's 
plan is the only plan that provides to all Americans guaranteed private 
health insurance that can never be taken away.
  Is it a perfect plan? Of course not.
  Some things will change between now and the time the President signs 
a bill into law.
  And we're going to be working with Democrats and Republicans over the 
coming months to make a good plan even better.
  Is it complicated? Of course it is. It has to be. Health care is 14 
percent of the Gross National Product.
  It's a difficult issue. But we all have a responsibility to get this 
system under control. And I'm going to keep coming to this floor in the 
days to come, and I'm going to continue to answer the questions I get 
from back home.
  Because the American people know what's at stake. They feel this 
health care crisis every day.
  They don't need any more interpretations.
  They don't need more partisan bickering.
  What they need is the truth.
  What they deserve is honest answers.
  And it's up to all of us to make sure they get them.

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