[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 95 (Wednesday, July 20, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           UNIVERSAL COVERAGE

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Madam President, I thank the Senator from Illinois, my 
very good friend, someone whom I really believe in. I simply want to 
echo his remarks.
  I believe the choice of words yesterday by the President, for 
whatever reason, was unfortunate. There are people in the country who 
are going to get on buses and come to Washington to speak in their own 
voices about why they need decent health care for themselves and their 
loved ones. What are they getting on the buses for? Do they not have to 
know what the President believes in and is willing to fight for; what 
all of us believe in and are willing to fight for?
  I call on the President as well today to clarify his remarks 
yesterday and to be crystal clear that he is going to live up to the 
commitment that he made to the people of this country, where he held 
that pen forward and said, ``If it is not universal coverage, each and 
every person covered, I will veto this piece of legislation.'' I think 
people really respect conviction and they respect someone who is 
willing to fight for what he believes in. They respect the President 
for doing that. This is a decisive moment. We cannot have this health 
care effort hijacked, and I will join my colleague from Illinois, if we 
have a bill on the floor that does not provide the universal coverage, 
with the same amendment that we would have 1 out of every 20 Senators 
by lottery not covered.
  I also plan to introduce my amendment that says whatever health plan 
we pass, Madam President, provides people with as good coverage as what 
we have. Remember all of us are covered--universal. It is a good 
package of benefits, good coverage for ourselves and our loved ones. 
There is no discrimination because of a prior or current health care 
condition. And our employers contribute to the cost. I think that 
amendment ought to be out on the floor of the Senate very soon as well.
  I thank the Senator from Illinois and am proud to join him in these 
remarks.

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