[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 28, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               H.R. 3955, THE HEALTH REFORM CONSENSUS ACT

  (Mr. BILIRAKIS asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, the question on everyone's mind these 
days is will health legislation be enacted into law this year?
  The answer is quite simple. Sensible and practical health reform 
legislation can become law this year, legislation that includes 
concepts that everyone agrees should be included in any health reform 
package.
  The Rowland-Bilirakis Health Reform Consensus Act will provide health 
care to individuals now. Under our bill, people can receive coverage 
regardless of income level or health history--immediately.
  For those who work, employers are required to offer, but not pay for, 
health insurance coverage. Community health networks are also created 
to provide preventative, primary and acute care to everyone, regardless 
of income level.
  Our bill provides practical solutions to everyday problems people 
have encountered in our current health care system. Mr. Speaker, no one 
can argue that preexisting condition restrictions must be eliminated. 
Our bill would prohibit these restrictions.
  And everyone agrees that insurance portability is necessary--people 
should not be afraid to switch jobs due to fear of losing their health 
insurance.
  The consensus health bill is the most sensible and reasonable 
approach to reforming our Nation's health care system. It provides 
real-life solutions to real Americans now. I urge my colleagues to 
support this commonsense approach to health care reform.

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