[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   A CALL FOR ACTION ON HEALTH REFORM

  (Mr. BILIRAKIS asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, contrary to popular belief, there is 
agreement on health reform legislation.
  My colleague, the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Rowland] and I recently 
introduced the Health Reform Consensus Act, legislation that includes 
consensus health items, areas of agreement that so many believe must be 
addressed now.
  Mr. Speaker, who does not support insurance portability? Who does not 
believe that people with preexisting conditions have a right to 
purchase health insurance at a reasonable price just like everybody 
else? And who can argue against controlling fraud in our health care 
system--that unnecessary paperwork should be eliminated, that 
malpractice law must be reformed? The health consensus bill would 
address these issues so that this could be enacted into law this year.
  Mr. Speaker, we see our legislation as a starting point for reform, a 
reasonable beginning in resolving our Nation's health care problems.
  Mr. Speaker, if we enact into law these important consensus items, 
many Americans would benefit and costs would be reduced.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to show the American people we want 
change by supporting action now on health reform.

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