[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 35 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S3074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, last year, Congress spent an enormous 
amount of time considering health care reform. After the debate came to 
a close, after all the posturing, speeches, and amendments, we failed 
to produce a health care bill. The greatest disappointment of the 103d 
Congress was our failure to enact health care reform. Millions of 
Americans are without health care, millions more are underinsured, and 
countless others are only a paycheck away from losing health care 
coverage. The crisis in our health care system will simply not go away.
  Thirty-nine million Americans are uninsured. Last year, an additional 
1 million Americans lost health insurance. If we don't enact 
legislation this Congress, the number of uninsured will continue to 
rise. I commend the Demcratic leader, Senator Daschle for recognizing 
this dire need and for leading the U.S. Senate into the crafting of 
some form of health insurance for the people of America.
  In Hawaii, we have solved the problems of affordability and access. 
Hawaii has achieved the American health care dream--near-universal 
health care coverage for its citizens at a cost that is 25-30 percent 
below the national average. For 20 years, Hawaii has maintained a model 
health care system. We have one of the healthiest populations in the 
Nation. A study by the Journal of the American Medical Association 
found that Hawaii has one of the lowest infant mortality rates. Deaths 
from chronic health problems such as cancer, heart disease, and lung 
disease are also among the lowest in the Nation.
  Nearly everyone in Hawaii has some form of health insurance, so these 
life threatening conditions are detected earlier, which reduces 
premature death and shortens hospital visits. Because our population 
has ready access to a primary care physician, we use hospital emergency 
rooms only half as often as other States.
  There is no reason why the rest of the Nation should settle for 
anything less than what Hawaii enjoys. Americans do not want a Band-Aid 
approach to health care reform. They do not want a medisave program or 
a savings account approach to health care. They want real, tangible 
health care that gives coverage when they need it. By developing a 
bipartisan consensus, we can take major steps to contain costs, expand 
choice, and increase access to care.
  Hawaii has enjoyed its health care program, and we hope that we can 
extend this to the rest of the Nation.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The 
Senator from New Jersey.

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