[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 2, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         MANAGED COMPETITION--MORE MANAGEMENT, LESS COMPETITION

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, today my colleagues will be getting a 
letter from me explaining the downfalls of managed competition as 
offered by our colleague from Tennessee. As we all know, this concept 
of reforming our health care system has received much attention and 
support of late not because of its merits, but because of its 
compromised nature.
  Mr. Speaker, the Cooper plan contains elements of the President's 
plan which will harm the way Americans receive health care. Just ask 
the Tennessee Valley Authority and the residents in Tennessee. 
Proponents of managed competition often cite the TennCare plan in 
Tennessee as an example of where managed competition will lead us. To 
those of us who question the soundness of managed competition, it is 
not surprising that Tennesseans are worried about the effects of 
TennCare. The Cooper plan contains: excessive governmental regulation; 
community rating; a National Health Board that will decide what 
benefits all Americans must receive; and higher taxes on employers who 
wish to provide health benefits which may be more generous than what 
the National Health Board deems to be necessary. And, oh yes, Mr. 
Speaker, the Cooper plan will mean less choices, not more choices for 
our citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is more management and less competition. Mr. 
Speaker, this proposal will not bring good things to life. Just ask 
General Electric's CEO, Jack Welch. I quote:

       If you believe Government operated purchasing alliances in 
     50 States can weed out billions in waste, go visit your local 
     motor vehicle department.

  Is there an alternative to more Government bureaucracy and 
regulation? Yes--the Chattanooga Free Press in Tennessee is but 1 of 
over 150 editorial boards from across the country that have endorsed 
H.R. 3698, the Consumer Choice Health Security Act of 1993. I urge all 
of my colleagues to review and support this free market alternative.

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