[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 PRESIDENT'S COSTLY HEALTH CARE PLAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Clayton). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of February 11, 1994, and June 10, 1994, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Huffington] is recognized during morning business for 4 
minutes.
  Mr. HUFFINGTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address a very 
significant issue on the minds of all Americans, health care: in 
particular, the devastating effects President Clinton's plan will have 
on my home State of California and the Nation in general.
  Recently, the California Governor's office released a report entitled 
``Above All Do No Harm,'' which analyzes the impact President Clinton's 
plan will have throughout the United States and California. Central to 
this report is the administration's recurring theme: Pay now, save 
later.
  Madam Speaker, the Government has played this trick on the American 
people before. When Congress enacted Medicare in 1965, it was estimated 
that hospital insurance would cost $14 billion between the years 1966 
and 1971. In reality, costs to the taxpayer totaled $24 billion, 65 
percent above the original predictions. Americans realize a Government-
run health care system does not save money.
  As the Governor's report suggests, the costs of the Clinton plan 
could exceed the Congressional Budget Office's baseline by over $25 
billion annually. And, despite President Clinton's rhetoric, by the 
year 2000, over $38 billion will be added to our ever-expanding 
national debt.
  In order to pay for this massive increase in spending, the Clinton 
plan places the burden on the private sector. According to the 
Governor's report, business would take on billions of dollars in 
additional costs, and 3.7 million jobs could be lost nationwide.
  The Clinton plan will also reduce national output and personal 
earnings. Under the administration's estimates, the Clinton plan will 
drain $224 billion from our economy by the year 2000.
  Madam Speaker, California has led the way in reforming health care 
delivery. Yet, the only reward we receive under the Clinton plan is 
more Federal Government interference and tax hikes. According to the 
Governor's study, California could lose as many as 650,000 jobs. And, 
we could see personal earnings decline by a staggering $71 billion by 
the year 2000.
  Not only will California's workers lose, but our State budget will 
also take a tremendous hit. By the end of the decade, the gross State 
product will decrease by $29 billion, and State income tax revenue will 
drop by almost $2 billion. Furthermore, the Governor's report states 
Clinton's plan could delay California's economic expansion by another 2 
years. The bottom line is California cannot afford the Clinton 
prescription for health care.
  And what do we get for all this money? Price controls, rationing, and 
worst of all--the Clinton's plan erodes our individual liberties. With 
this plan in place, the American people will be restricted from 
choosing their own doctor. A doctor outside a patient's plan could be 
fined up to $10,000 each time he provided treatment. The American 
people do not want a Government-provided physician; they want the 
freedom to choose their own doctor.
  Madam Speaker, the Clinton's plan requires us to pay more for health 
care now in the hope of savings later; it restricts our choice of 
doctors; and it could cost 3.7 million jobs throughout the Nation--
650,000 in California alone. My only question for the administration is 
this: If health care reform is about saving money, how come we end up 
paying so much?

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