[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]


                              {time}  1220
 
 STAFF CHANGES STRENGTHEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND HEALTH CARE REFORM MEANS 
                          GUARANTEED COVERAGE

  (Mr. RICHARDSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, one Member of the minority referred to 
the White House staff changes as rearranging the deck chairs of the 
Titanic. Nothing could be farther from the truth. An already strong 
White House staff has been strengthened by yesterday's moves.
  Mack McLarty has been extremely successful in his dealings with 
Congress. Specifically, on NAFTA, and with a number of positive 
initiatives on the President's economic plan, McLarty has proven his 
skill and worth. Now in his new position, he will have more time to 
comment to issues like these. Freed from the administrative aspects of 
his job, I believe McLarty will be even more invaluable to President 
Clinton.
  In Leon Panetta, a former Member of Congress, we have someone who, 
like us, has represented ordinary people. He know the executive branch, 
the House of Representatives, and the Senate. He also knows budget 
issues, is politically able, and is a good administrator.
  Mr. Speaker, the White House staff has been strengthened, but it is 
unfortunate that even administrative changes, staff changes, are 
politicized.
  Additionally, Mr. Speaker, last week, President Clinton made it clear 
that guaranteed private insurance for every American was his bottom 
line on health care reform. It is his bottom line because without 
guaranteed coverage, there can be no real reform.
  Guaranteed coverage is key because while we don't have guaranteed 
insurance today, we do have guaranteed coverage. What that means is 
that whenever somebody shows up at an emergency room for treatment, 
they get treated. Then, the middle class, those who are paying for 
health insurance, get saddled with the bill.
  One insurance company executive said recently that uncompensated care 
accounted for almost one-half of last year's cost increases.
  The losers in this game of cost-shifting are the hard-working 
families and employers who are currently paying for health insurance--
both for themselves and for those without health insurance.
  Mr. Speaker, only by creating a system where everybody is covered and 
pays their fair share can costs be spread fairly and evenly. Only by 
eliminating the free subsidies can we eliminate this invisible tax on 
the American middle class.

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