[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 28 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1045
                       KIDS-ONLY HEALTH INSURANCE

  (Mr. ALLEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the House overwhelmingly passed a 
resolution regarding the Ten Commandments on the grounds that religious 
doctrine is the cornerstone of a just and fair society. Yet there are 
61 countries around the world that ensure or provide health care for 
all of their workers and dependents. The United States is not one of 
them.
  In this country our children are falling behind on many crucial 
health indicators. Ten million American children have no health 
insurance. Millions more do not have meaningful access to health care 
providers. Their parents have to rely on emergency services to care for 
their children.
  This is unconscionable. Ninety percent of uninsured children have 
parents that work but they have no coverage for their children through 
their employers. We must take action to require insurance companies to 
provide kids-only health insurance and to provide a tax credit to help 
parents pay the premiums. A fair and just society provides for the 
health and welfare of its children, our future.

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