[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 104 (Tuesday, August 2, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
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]


                              {time}  1050
 
     HEALTH CARE: PREEXISTING CONDITIONS HAVE TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Deutsch). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of February 11, 1994, and June 10, 1994, the gentleman from 
Connecticut [Mr. Gejdenson] is recognized during morning business for 
1\1/2\ minutes.
  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, as we begin to confront the challenges 
before the Congress on health care, one of the critical issues is for 
people with preexisting conditions. The health care debate is not a 
theoretical challenge, it is a challenge for life or death.
  For 13 million Americans who have diabetes, their preexisting 
condition puts them in the category of people who, if they lose their 
jobs, may very well lose their health care and not have the ability to 
obtain new policies.
  Recent stories in the newspapers contrasting people with diabetes who 
have health care and those who do not indicates it is clear that 
society saves dollars by proper treatment and counseling. The cost of 
amputating limbs and losing kidneys is not simply a personal family 
tragedy but an economic tragedy for the country.

  People like Lee Ducat, of the National Diabetes Research Coalition, 
and others who have struggled for decades to see that diabetics have a 
chance to grow and prosper in the society and be productive members, 
have joined us in this battle. The danger for the future in many ways 
is even worse than the clouded situation we have today. With genetic 
screening, soon those who do not yet have preexisting conditions may be 
precluded or have additional costs added to their health care premiums 
because of a genetic tracer.
  As we learn more about the derivation of these diseases and the 
danger that each of us may get them, rather than helping us develop 
preventive medical policies, we may be dooming our children and our 
children's children not to be covered by health care or to pay 
extraordinary additional expenses.
  For this country not to address this issue today is a travesty, and I 
address my colleagues on my side of the aisle. Our Republican friends 
have abandoned the health care debate. They would rather say there is 
no solution. We can do better if we pull together to protect diabetics 
and all others in the society who need health care coverage now.

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