[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                THE HEALTH INSURANCE EQUITY ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES A. HAYES

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce a bill that 
will allow individuals and groups alike to seek health care coverage 
without threat of denial or inflated premiums due to a preexisting 
condition. This legislation, the Health Insurance Equity Act of 1994, 
will promote portability of health insurance by limiting discrimination 
in health coverage based on health status or past claims experience.
  My legislation responds to the concerns expressed to me by my 
constituents in southwestern Louisiana and echoed by millions of 
Americans across our great Nation, namely that health care coverage 
should be readily available to all individuals regardless of their 
health status. It represents an honest effort to address one of the 
most critical obstacles facing consumers now, and that is entrance into 
the health care market. Additionally, by requiring insurers to 
recognize continuation of coverage waivers, the first steps to 
portability of coverage are achieved by allowing individuals the 
freedom to switch jobs without fear of coverage loss due to their prior 
health experience or the health status of a family member.
  I have stated from the beginning of this debate that the market can 
and must be reformed without interfering with the quality of health 
care that Americans have long enjoyed. We have made many sacrifices 
both in time committed and financial resources spent in order to 
achieve the status of providing our citizens with superior health care. 
My legislation would bring about meaningful reform without interrupting 
the integrity of the care we now receive.
  The Health Insurance Equity Act provides States with the maximum 
flexibility in enforcing the insurance reform measures contained within 
the bill. Unlike other health care proposals, my legislation provides 
States with the Federal funding necessary to accomplish their 
regulatory function. Without creating a new Government bureaucracy, my 
legislation achieves in 18 pages what Americans have asked us to help 
provide--access to health insurance coverage.

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