[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 22, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    THE PRESIDENT'S HEALTH CARE PLAN

  (Mr. BAKER of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BAKER of California. Mr. Speaker, as we begin our debate on the 
President's health care plan, we must keep in mind what will happen 
without the Clinton health care plan. First, half of 37 million 
uninsured Americans will get health care insurance in less than 4 
months. In less than 1 year, 72 percent will get it without the Clinton 
health care plan.
  Second, the rise in the health inflation rate is beginning to grind 
to a halt, as companies impose their own cost control measures. And it 
is about time. Pharmaceuticals, which have been growing at 14 percent, 
are now barely 3 percent in their inflation rate. Other costs are 
falling in line because of the hard work and competition between the 
various health care providers.
  Do we need a national health board of seven appointed individuals 
that will have a global budget? Do we need regional health alliances 
which will select our doctors and other providers and enforce the 
global budget?

                             {time}   1230

  The Clinton health care plan will result in employee mandates, 
employee taxes, rationing, and shortages of quality health care, loss 
of choice of doctor and other providers, and a burgeoning bureaucratic 
system.
  Ontario closed its hospital for 3 weeks at Christmastime. There are 
more MRIs in Philadelphia than all of Canada. There are long lines in 
Canada and Great Britain. Do not let it happen here. Stop nationalized 
health care.

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