[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 102 (Friday, July 29, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    FACES OF THE HEALTH CARE CRISIS

  Mr. RIEGLE. Mr. President, I rise to continue my effort to put a face 
on the health care crisis confronting America. I continue to hear from 
countless citizens in Michigan who have fallen through the cracks of 
our health care system, and today I want to talk about Allen Johnson of 
Inkster, MI.
  Allen Johnson is a 41-year-old divorced father of three children. By 
1988, Allen had worked as a customer service representative for Zantop 
International Airlines for 15 years, earned $10 an hour, and had Blue 
Cross Blue Shield health coverage. Under his policy he was only 
responsible for paying for prescription medication. And although Allen 
is diabetic, this was affordable because at that time the monthly cost 
for daily insulin injections was $25.
  But in October of that year, he injured his back at work while 
helping unload a shipment of 90-pound cartons. This injury was so 
severe that Allen was disabled by it, and has been unable to work ever 
since. He received workman's compensation for his injuries for a period 
of time, and now lives on Social Security Disability income of $781 a 
month.
  Allen's back injuries prevent him from performing what were once 
usual activities, like walking or standing for a long period of time, 
or maintaining one position while he is sitting.
  Unfortunately, in addition to Allen's chronic back disability and 
diabetes, he now has hypertension. This condition was diagnosed 4 years 
ago, just about the same time he had to leave his job. And if that were 
not enough, his diabetes has impaired his vision to the point that 
Allen was declared legally blind last November.
  Allen first lost his medical insurance because of his injury: Since 
he took a medical leave of absence instead of being fired or quitting, 
he was not eligible to continue his workplace insurance by paying the 
premium himself. Allen's medical problems make it impossible for him to 
find affordable private health insurance. He is now uninsured.
  Allen is in the awful position of not having health care coverage 
when he desperately needs services. For his diabetes he needs needles, 
insulin, and a special diet. He takes two different prescription 
medications for his hypertension and pain killers for his back 
condition. These medications cost over $200 a month, more than one-
quarter of his Social Security Disability income. Over the last 2 
months Allen has had two separate eye surgeries in an attempt to regain 
some of his vision. The surgeries failed, and his sight is now worse 
than before--he can make out shadows, nothing more. He requires regular 
visits with his physicians to monitor his eyes and diabetes. He has 
stopped receiving treatment to improve his back condition because he 
cannot afford the cost of the visits.

  If Allen had never worked, his disability would have qualified him 
for SSI income, food stamps, and Medicaid coverage for his health care. 
His work history made him eligible for SSDI income. But SSDI, although 
less than $800 a month, makes him ineligible for all of these other 
benefits. Allen may use Medicaid coverage for health costs only if he 
buys into the program, which is how he paid for his eye operations. But 
to get Medicaid coverage he must ``spend down'' $406 a month first. 
This is over half of his monthly income, which would leave him just 
$375 for all other expenses. Clearly, this is not a real option for him 
to cover his ongoing medical needs. Because of his disability, in 2 
years he will be eligible for Medicare coverage, but until then he must 
make do on his own.
  The rent on Allen's apartment is $430 a month and utilities are 
usually another $200 to $300. His medical costs are so high that he 
simply cannot pay all his bills each month. He tries to survive with 
the help of good friends who will drive him to the doctors and to buy 
groceries. But the bills are piling up. Allen admits that he has lost 
track of exactly how many thousands of dollars he owes in medical bills 
because the amount increases every month.
  Allen has delayed doctor visits and is using less medication than 
prescribed in order to make it last longer. So as he gets deeper and 
deeper into debt, his physical health suffers as well.
  Unfortunately, Allen Johnson's case is not uncommon. Our health 
system leaves individuals who become disabled without any health care 
coverage at all. Allen was once a productive, responsible worker and 
father, but now he has been reduced to seeking charity to pay for his 
prescription drugs and he cannot help support his children. We must 
guarantee access to affordable health care in this country to prevent 
physical misfortunes from becoming economic tragedies. I will continue 
to work with my colleagues to create a better health care system for 
all Americans.
  Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I as unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Akaka). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I ask that I be recognized for 5 
minutes to speak as in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senator may 
speak for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to condemn yet another 
act of violence at an abortion clinic, to urge State and Federal law 
enforcement agencies to pursue this crime with utmost vigor, and to 
restate my support for the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, 
which could--and perhaps should--be used against the perpetrator of 
this newest crime.
  Continuing a long history of escalating clinic violence, this morning 
outside a clinic in Pensacola, FL, a man took a shotgun, killed two 
people, and wounded a woman. Immediately afterward, a militant 
antiabortionist named Paul Hill was taken into custody and is likely to 
be charged with the crimes.

  The wounded woman is a worker at the clinic, and press reports have 
raised the strong possibility that the unidentified murder victims were 
a doctor or nurse who worked at the clinic.
  If one of the victims is a doctor or nurse--as is currently thought 
because of a bulletproof vest--then this crime is covered under the 
Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which protects both 
providers and patients from threat or use of force under Federal law. 
In addition, this act allows the families of the victims and the clinic 
to pursue damages against the perpetrator and any business or 
organization with which he may be associated.
  At this very moment, I am told, State and Federal law enforcement 
agencies are determining which charges to press, and I am confident 
that they will take appropriate action to ensure that the perpetrator 
is tried under the most rigorous statutes and that the circumstances 
are investigated fully.
  It may be most appropriate for State and local jurisdiction to 
prevail in this matter, despite the option of Federal enforcement. For 
example, in the shooting of Dr. David Gunn, which also took place in 
the same area, the perpetrator was tried under State law and received a 
life sentence.
  However, I know that many men and women who have been extremely 
concerned about clinic violence will be looking to the Justice 
Department to apply the Clinic Entrances Act now for the first time. 
Now that FACE has been enacted, if State and local law enforcement 
fails--or if there is evidence of a conspiracy that warrants Federal 
investigation--the Federal Government should and could, I believe, step 
in to make sure that the crime does not go unpunished.
  In addition, this crime shows that clinic violence continues to 
escalate, and that a strong message must be sent to those who go beyond 
peaceful protest to vigilante extremism.
  I, for one, am confident that the Attorney General will condemn this 
act in the strongest terms and coordinate closely with local law 
enforcement to make sure that all necessary steps are taken. If the 
Attorney General decides to press charges under the Freedom of Access 
to Clinic Entrances Act, it will show extremist antiabortionists that 
the Federal Government is not afraid to become involved in this wave of 
clinic violence.
  Mr. President, I ask that Senator Boxer, my colleague from 
California, be associated with these remarks. She joins me in full.
  I thank you, and I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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