[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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

 
                              HEALTH CARE

                                 ______


                          HON. CHRISTOPHER COX

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 1994

  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce and 
Industrial League, in Santa Fe Springs, CA, is vitally concerned about 
the impact that proposed health care legislation will have on employees 
and employers. They have not endorsed any of the health care bills 
proposed, including President Clinton's Health Security Act. Instead, 
they have compiled a list of key features that any health legislation 
should include. Because this analysis and list of recommendations 
reflect the careful study and experience of small businesses throughout 
California, I commend it to the attention of my colleagues as you 
fashion health care legislation this year:
       Dear Members of Congress: We agree that our current health 
     care distribution system is flawed and unaffordable for many 
     Americans. The 80 percent of the population that is insured 
     and covered is not looking for drastic overhaul of medical 
     care, just a better way of controlling costs and coverage. We 
     strongly urge Congress to consider specific steps that can 
     alleviate many of the barriers to access and affordability, 
     as opposed to the Clinton system.
       We support the option, not a mandate, for employers to pay 
     for insurance costs.
       We oppose taxing employers or other taxpayers to provide 
     national health insurance.
       We support making premiums and actual health care for all 
     individuals and employers 100 percent tax deductible.
       We support and urge protection of unrestricted individual 
     choice of plans, doctors, and medical facilities. This choice 
     should be made by patients, as opposed to any government 
     agency or alliance making the choice.
       We oppose any government ``standard'' or ``minimum policy 
     provisions.'' We believe that private companies should be 
     encouraged to compete, and thereby allow the market to set 
     standards.
       We support a ``pay as you save'' policy of making increases 
     in health care spending for the indigent, or others who can't 
     afford coverage or care, only after the savings in other 
     health provisions have been realized by the government. This 
     would prevent massive new health care cost increases.
       We support medical tort reform and limited liability as a 
     means of reducing the high cost of medical administration.
       We support portable Medical Savings Accounts as a means for 
     the patient to pay medical costs not covered by major medical 
     insurance.
       We support administrative, regulatory, and paperwork reform 
     and simplification of all health services.
       We support an option for small business and individuals to 
     join together to increase buying power and leverage without 
     government control or administration.
       We support annual ``open enrollment'' during which 
     employees and individuals may change health plans. This will 
     create greater competition among different plans, encouraging 
     them to do a good job for the consumer.
       We oppose the federal government becoming the buyer, 
     administrator, or competitor for health care for the public.
       We oppose any law that makes health care an entitlement 
     program like Social Security or Medicare.
           Respectfully submitted,
         Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce and Industrial 
           League.

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