[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H9708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MUCH-NEEDED HEALTH CARE REFORM IS FINALLY HERE

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, finally, almost a year to the day that it 
was introduced, we are prepared to pass the Kennedy health care reform 
bill. This much-needed legislation will provide millions of Americans 
with health insurance through greater portability and other needed 
reforms.
  And to think that this day almost never was. In spite of the vote of 
100 to 0 in the Senate, it took Democrats, constantly pressuring the 
Republicans, to get to where we are today.
  The Republicans were prepared to let this bill languish in the 
Senate, but we applied the pressure here, and more important the 
American people applied the pressure all across this country, and the 
Republicans were forced to act.
  Imagine, forced to enact legislation that would help working families 
be able to maintain their insurance, to prevent insurance companies 
from discriminating based on preexisting conditions.
  Mr. Speaker, we are sent here to do the people's business and to work 
on behalf of families in this country. The bottom line is that although 
some may have gotten here kicking and screaming, they are here. We will 
pass health care legislation today.

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