[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 102 (Thursday, July 11, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H7266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MAKE HEALTH CARE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR AMERICANS

  (Mr. NEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, Congress is ready to pass bipartisan 
legislation that will make health care insurance more available and 
affordable for millions of American families without big government. It 
is called private sector health care reform.
  However, over the last 11 weeks someone in the other body has been 
holding health care reform hostage, refusing to allow the legislation 
to proceed by using complicated procedural gimmicks. This common sense 
health care reform is being stonewalled, Mr. Speaker, because of the 
dream that still exists of imposing a single player, Government-run 
health care system on the entire Nation.
  I think that a couple of years ago the people in this country spoke 
out very loud and clear that they do not want a Government-run system, 
but they want access, they want availability, and they want 
affordability for health care. Today many Americans are forced to stay 
in their current jobs out of fear of losing their health care benefits 
and insurance. Others just live in fear of losing health care coverage 
should they lose their job.
  This bipartisan legislation would make sure Americans who lose their 
coverage can keep their jobs their health care, and take care of their 
families. I urge the movement of the bill.

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