[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 18, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H6436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TIME TO PASS HEALTH REFORM

  (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, now that the leadership in the 
Senate has changed, we are beginning to see some real movement on the 
Kennedy-Kassebaum health care reform bill.
  Unlike Bob Dole, the current majority leader in the Senate 
understands the urgency to bring this bill to a vote and is working 
toward an agreement.
  For months and even years, Americans have been asking for portability 
in health insurance and coverage for preexisting conditions. But House 
Republicans have demanded the inclusion of full-fledged medical savings 
accounts, the so-called MSA's, malpractice reform and the taking away 
of State regulation over multiple employer welfare plans, or the 
MEWA's. That inclusion of issues will kill the bill.
  Americans want the ability to take their insurance coverage with them 
when they change jobs and they want to be covered for preexisting 
conditions. The Kassebaum-Kennedy bill makes this possible. It is time 
to stop playing games with the American people and pass reasonable 
health care reform now.

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