[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 104 (Tuesday, August 2, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                                DIABETES

                                 ______


                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 2, 1994

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, health care reform is the best thing we can 
do for America's 14 million diabetics.
  The leadership bill will guarantee health coverage for all Americans, 
thus ensuring that every diabetic will be able to get the help they 
need.
  The bill will eliminate pre-existing conditions clauses in health 
insurance policies. This means that diabetic children will be able to 
buy their own policies when they leave the family's coverage. It means 
that a diabetic adult will be able to switch jobs or retire early 
without fear of losing health insurance.
  The bill ensures choice of provider. Diabetics will be able to seek 
and obtain care from the doctor and the specialist that they want. 
Managed care plans will have to ensure access to centers of excellence 
and specialized treatment. Individuals won't be trapped in managed care 
plans that limit service.
  For the individual diabetic or the diabetic in a small company, the 
bill will ensure that insurance is affordable. Private insurance will 
be available at community rates and one will also be able to join 
Medicare part C.
  The bill's cost containment provisions will slow the rate of health 
inflation and give diabetics and their family needed financial relief.
  The bill also dedicates billions to medical research, hopefully 
speeding the day that we find genetic cures to this serious illness.
  The legislation also includes a special demonstration project to 
develop new and better ways of treating diabetics. This project will 
help ensure that the findings of the NIH's 10-year diabetes control and 
complications trial are translated into better education, training, and 
treatment of diabetics. The DCCT results prove that we can greatly 
improve the quality of health and life for millions of diabetics. 
Passage of health care reform can help transform the DCCT's findings 
into reality for the nation's diabetic community.
  Halfway measures--partial insurance reforms, limited cost 
containment, soft-triggers--won't meet the needs of these 14 million 
Americans.
  Let's do the right thing, and pass a comprehensive reform bill.

                          ____________________