[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 53 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      CURE WORSE THAN THE DISEASE

  (Mr. HASTERT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, let us be sure that when we reform our 
health care system we don't prescribe a cure that is worse than the 
problem.
  All studies show that an employer mandate is just that--maybe more 
Americans would have health insurance, but at the same time, more 
Americans would be without jobs. And those who would be hit the hardest 
are those who are currently falling through the cracks. Job losses 
would be experienced by those working for small businesses and part-
time and low-wage workers. And ironically, the self-employed.
  Jobs should not be pitted against health care reform. Adding another 
tax on business is not the prescription for health care reform. It is 
time that we reject the employer mandate and instead, enact a 
commonsense bill that treats the real problems.
  Reforming our health care system is supposed to cure the patient, not 
send the patient back to the emergency room with another illness.

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