[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 108 (Monday, August 8, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    GUARANTEED INSURANCE ACT OF 1994

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to take a moment to talk about 
health care reform.
  After 5 years of listening to our constituents tell us their problems 
with the current health care system; after hundreds of hours of public 
hearings and thousands of town hall meetings; House and Senate 
Democrats have crafted final proposals from the legislation passed by 
congressional committees.
  Sometimes we get caught up in the big issues--``universal or 
incremental,'' ``comprehensive or barebones.''
  Today, I would like to focus on what our proposal will mean to real 
people--how the Guaranteed Insurance Act of 1994 will improve the lives 
and strengthen the security of working class people.
  I would like to talk about Ms. Smith, who works in a small company 
and is currently insured.
  Under the Guaranteed Insurance Act of 1994, Ms. Smith will continue 
to receive health coverage either through a private plan offered by her 
employer; or, through a private plan offered through the Universal 
Federal Employee Health Benefit Program.
  If her employer does not offer private coverage, she can enroll in 
Medicare Part C. If her employer chooses this route, she will have a 
choice of a plan offering unlimited choice of doctors or a managed care 
plan.
  She can also choose a medical savings account, if her employer offers 
one.
  Ms. Smith will have a choice she probably does not have today--she 
can choose from at least one plan offering unlimited choice of doctors, 
and one managed care plan.
  Her benefits will either remain the same or improve.
  Ms. Smith will share the responsibility for paying the premium with 
her employer--just like she probably does today.
  Her employer will pay at least 80 percent of the cost of the premium. 
That cost is tax-deductible for her employer.
  Ms. Smith's maximum payment will be 20 percent of the premium cost--
about $35 per month for an individual policy, or $69 per month for a 
single parent with children, or $94 per month for a two-parent family 
with children.
  If Ms. Smith earns under $38,400 and she is married with two or more 
children; or, if she earns less than $27,000 and is a single parent: 
or, if she is single with no children and earns less than $17,760--Ms. 
Smith will receive help paying her portion of the premium.
  If Ms. Smith's household income is less than the poverty level, or 
she is an SSI or AFDC recipient, she will have no premium obligation.
  The Nation should--and will--be focused on what we say and what we do 
in the coming days.
  There is a lot at stake for every American--their family's security, 
their children's health.
  Let us approach this debate with that in mind. Let us not spread 
fear.
  Let us not sow confusion. Let us keep this debate on the highest 
level--and that level is this: How does this affect Americans who play 
by the rules and pay the bills?
  If we do, we will do what the people who sent us here want us to do.
  If we do that, the American people can win.

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