[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 94 (Tuesday, July 19, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  INTRODUCTION OF VETERANS' HEALTH CARE ELIGIBILITY REFORM ACT OF 1994

  (Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Veterans' Health 
Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1994. The purpose of this legislation is 
to revise and reform the current system of eligibility for health care 
services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  The fate of the President's Health Security Act is unknown. The 
administration has hung all hopes of VA health reform on passage of 
H.R. 3600. My legislation provides a vehicle for VA health care reform 
to move forward regardless of what happens to national health care. If 
the Health Security Act fails to be enacted we should still pursue 
responsible reform of the VA. Veterans have waited long enough for 
reform. Every week that goes by leads to further cannibalization of the 
system and erosion of veterans health care services. This legislation 
was not drafted in conjunction with any particular health care bill. It 
could become part of an alternative biparisan consensus effort. We 
should not hold VA hostage to the Clinton national health care plan.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the Veterans' Health Care 
Eligibility Re-form Act of 1994.

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