[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 108 (Monday, August 8, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
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]

 
                       HEALTH CARE REFORM DEBATE

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, last Friday I expressed my hope that the 
debate we will begin soon will result in a bipartisan solution to our 
health care problems. I also suggested that the chance of reaching such 
a solution would be greater if the increasingly harsh partisan rhetoric 
coming from the White House and its allies would stop.
  Unfortunately, my suggestion was completely ignored. For not only did 
the rhetoric continue, but it reached new and unprecedented levels in 
both partisanship and rancor.
  In Detroit on Saturday, President Clinton said, and I quote:

       It's the violent, extreme interests in this country that 
     are trying to keep health care out of the reach of ordinary 
     American working people and (they) are a disgrace to the 
     American dream.

  ``Violent, extreme interests * * * and they are a disgrace 
to the American dream.'' Well, there you have it. I am certain 
Americans who question the wisdom of Government-run health care will be 
surprised to know that they are part of ``violent extreme interests'' 
and a ``disgrace to the American dream.''
  And how about the National Restaurant Association, the National 
Federation of Independent Businesses, the National Association of 
Manufacturers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Retail 
Federation, the National Wheat Growers Association, the National 
Cattlemen Association, the American Truckers Association, and on and on 
and on.
  They have all expressed support for the Dole-Packwood ``American 
option'' plan. Are they, therefore, ``violent extreme interests"? Are 
Members of Congress in both parties who oppose the Clinton-Mitchell 
bill and the Clinton-Gephardt bill a ``disgrace to the American 
dream?''
  According to a survey out this morning, 65 percent of the American 
public say that Congress should start over on health care reform next 
year. Do they qualify as ``violent extreme interests"?
  Health care reform is a complex issue, one where there is certainly 
room for more than one point of view. I never questioned the 
President's desire to help Americans in need, nor have I questioned the 
fact he sincerely believes the best way to do that is through a 
Government-run health care system.
  I, too, want to help Americans in need, and along with a lot of other 
Americans--both Democrat and Republican--I sincerely believe we can do 
that without turning over the best health care system in the world to 
the Federal Government.
  Mr. President, I guess the good news is that the health care reform 
debate has nowhere to go but up because, with the President's 
inappropriate remarks, it certainly cannot go any lower.
  I thank the Senator from Minnesota.

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