[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 27, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H20]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NEW HEALTH CARE INITIATIVES

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, as a result of democratic leadership, 
Congress passed the Kennedy-Kassebaum bill in 1996, which extended 
health care insurance portability to millions of Americans and further 
limited preexisting condition exclusions. Last year the Democrats 
successfully fought to pass legislation that will provide health care 
benefits to over 5 million children, and both of these bills were 
enacted into law despite strong initial opposition from the Republican 
leadership.
  Now, under the President's leadership, Democrats are now poised to 
fight for two new health care initiatives. The first proposal would 
enable those aged 55 to 65 to buy into the Medicare program under 
certain conditions. The second initiative would provide for managed 
care reform or basic consumer protections for individuals in HMOs. 
Already Republican leaders are voicing opposition to these proposals.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, Democrats are fighting for the average American 
family. Meanwhile, Republicans are teaming up with special interest 
groups in a million-dollar campaign to prevent common-sense health care 
reform.

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