[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H68]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR HEALTH CARE INITIATIVES

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, last night the President outlined his 
agenda for Americans. Democrats and Republicans should strive to work 
together and implement his ideas on issues such as enacting a true 
consumer Bill of Rights to guarantee choice, access and quality health 
care in HMOs and enabling the near elderly to buy into the Medicare 
program. Unfortunately, the Republican leadership is already putting 
special interests ahead of the American public by supporting million-
dollar ad campaigns to fight these new health care initiatives.
  Numerous constituents have contacted me with their concerns about 
managed care. Congress needs to pass a ground floor of quality 
assurance standards for managed care organizations, and Democrats will 
also fight to enact the President's Medicare buy-in proposal that would 
grant access to the Medicare program for those aged 62 to 65 and those 
over 55 who are laid off or displaced. This initiative will not cost 
the Medicare program or raise the deficit. Instead, it will provide 
access to the best health care program in the world for these near 
elderly.
  I just want to say, we should support these initiatives on a 
bipartisan basis.

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