[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 117 (Thursday, August 18, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                E X T E N S I O N   O F   R E M A R K S


                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

                                 ______


                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, August 18, 1994

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, President Clinton and the liberal 
leadership are launching an invasion on our medical schools. An army of 
new Government bureaucrats will decide the course of study for 
thousands of medical students.
  Presently there are 72,347 medical students enrolled at America's 141 
medical schools. These bright, young energetic students will lose their 
right to choose a career path.
  Instead, under the Clinton-Gephardt health care reform scheme, a 
national commission will ration the number of medical students per 
school and decide what kind of medicine these students will study. The 
fate of thousands of medical students will rest in the hands of 
Government bureaucrats.
  Mr. Speaker, the Clinton-Gephardt attack does not stop at the medical 
school door. Health care consumers will also feel the consequences of 
this new rationing system. We only need to look over our northern 
border to see the results.
  Every day thousands of Canadians seek care in the United States 
because they are denied access to specialists. In essence, they are 
refugees of the Canadian health care system. Socialized medicine 
sabotages a patient's right to quality care.
  If the Clinton-Gephardt bill is enacted, Americans will join the 
ranks of the socialized medicine refugees. What border will we have to 
cross to get the kind of health care we need?
  As a dentist, I am aware of the vast opportunities the medical 
profession offers. The Clinton-Gephardt bill takes away that 
opportunity. The Government did not infringe upon my career choice. Do 
not let bureaucracy smother the aspirations and dreams of future 
medical students.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to consider the Michel and Dole 
health care bills. We must protect the rights of our future health care 
providers. Do not let Government limit the choices and career paths of 
future medical students.

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