[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 21, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
             THE REPUBLICAN POSITION ON HEALTH CARE REFORM

  (Mr. WALKER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from South Carolina has just 
misrepresented the Republican position on health care, as did news 
stories over the weekend.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Gingrich], 
the minority whip.
  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I want to make very clear the Republican 
position is we very much want to work together on a bipartisan basis to 
pass a bipartisan health bill. We believe it is possible to write a 
bill which is market-oriented, which has personal accountability, which 
allows people to have a choice of their own doctor.
  We are opposed to a big-government, big-bureaucracy, tax-increase 
bill, but we would very much like to work with the Democratic 
leadership if they are prepared to give up their partisan strategy, the 
same one they followed on the tax increase last year of trying to pass 
a bill with 51 votes in the Senate and 218 votes in the House.
  We beg the Democratic leadership: Let us work together on a 
bipartisan bill that is centrist. Do not try to pass a big-government, 
tax increase, big-bureaucracy bill only with Democratic votes.
  I thank my friend for allowing me to clarify that.
  Mr. WALKER. I thank the gentleman.
  The majority leader earlier today outlined a program that calls for a 
big-government approach to health care. Americans do not need 
bureaucrats running their health care program. They need choice, and 
they need to have a chance to have their own doctor.

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