[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H6633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MEDICAID REFORM

  (Ms. ESHOO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, last week the Committee on Commerce wrote a 
bill, and with it wrote a sad new chapter against children in our 
country. The Republicans voted down several key amendments, but I want 
to highlight one in particular this morning.
  The bill does state that Medicaid-insured children receive periodic 
medical examinations. That is the good news. Today, if any medical 
condition is discovered during screening, it is covered by that 
insurance. It makes sense, right? Check kids for medical problems and 
treat them if they are sick. Not according to the Republicans. Their 
bill says children are to be examined, but there are no provisions for 
treatment. Imagine the situation this creates. Children will be 
diagnosed, but no insurance exists for treatment. Are they to get 
better on their own? Would any of us as parents accept this for our 
children?
  I offered an amendment, Mr. Speaker, which restored the guarantee of 
treatment for children. All 23 Republicans voted against it. Those 
votes may have been louder than words in the committee, but I think the 
American people are going to screen out this policy. Our Nation's 
children deserve better.

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