[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 65 (Monday, May 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          NO SPECIAL TREATMENT

                                 ______


                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 1994

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a resolution that 
expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that any law 
pertaining to the reform of our Nation's health care system should 
apply to Members of Congress and all other Federal employees. There is 
no justification for Members of Congress or other Federal employees to 
exempt themselves from health care reform laws Congress may impose on 
the rest of the country.
  Currently, the nine million Federal employees and their dependents 
who are enrolled in the Federal Health Benefits Program [FEHBP] have a 
choice among health plans with varying levels of benefits and premiums. 
In all, Federal employees have approximately 320 health care options 
through the FEHBP.
  Although Members of Congress and Federal employees currently enjoy 
seemingly unlimited choices, many of the health care reform plans that 
have been introduced would severely limit health care options for most 
Americans. Although I have serious concerns about many of the health 
care reform proposals, one aspect of such reform is essential--Members 
of Congress and Federal employees must not get any special treatment. I 
feel that if Members of Congress and other Federal employees had to 
live by the same health care rules and regulations that Congress 
imposes on the rest of the country, it would be more careful in the 
type of reforms enacted.
  I urge all of my colleagues to cosponsor this important resolution, 
and, thereby, show the American public that they do not expect special 
treatment with respect to health care reform. Perhaps that will also 
make Members of Congress better legislators when passing the best 
health care reform legislation possible.

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