[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 106 (Thursday, August 4, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

  (Mr. RUSH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning in strong support of the 
health care reform bill proposed by Majority Leader Gephardt.
  I do so because there are a number of elements in the package which 
will advance our health care system in many critical ways.
  For example, the bill will expand the number of primary care centers 
in underserved rural and urban areas. And it will expand their capacity 
by providing more capital funds.
  Medicare bonus payments to physicians in these areas will be double, 
and substantial tax credits will be provided.
  This will help alleviate the troubling shortage of doctors in needy 
areas.
  The Gephardt bill also offers strong benefits for seniors, including 
unlimited prescription drug coverage with an out-of-pocket cap.
  New preventive health benefits are included, as are long-term home 
and community-based care for severely disabled persons.
  Mr. Speaker, we are drawing ever closer to the elusive goal of 
comprehensive, universal health care reform.
  In my opinion, the Gephardt plan is a huge step in the right 
direction.
  I implore my colleagues to support this historic bill.

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