[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 26, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H2846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              MAKING HEALTH CARE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE

  (Mr. BILIRAKIS asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, last Congress I introduced the only 
health reform legislation that truly had bipartisan support. The 
Rowland-Bilirakis bill focused on areas where there was widespread 
agreement about the need for reform. Unfortunately, this legislation 
never made it to the House floor.
  I recently introduced the Health Coverage Availability and 
Affordability Act. This bill allows portability, thus permitting people 
to move from job to job without losing their health coverage.
  The bill eliminates prohibitions on preexisting conditions so that 
individuals can change jobs and still have access to affordable health 
care. This simple change will dramatically improve the lives of 
millions of American families. Right now, 25 million Americans are 
denied health insurance coverage because of a preexisting condition.
  Mr. Speaker, we have the best health care system in the world--but 
there is room for improvement. Our plan improves health care in this 
country by making it both accessible and, just as important, 
affordable. I would encourage my colleagues to join me in eliminating 
job-lock by supporting the Health Coverage Availability and 
Affordability Act.

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