[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 28, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H8877-H8878]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MANAGED CARE REFORM WILL NOT COST WHAT THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY CLAIMS

  (Mr. GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, for months now we have been hearing 
from the insurance industry that we cannot pass a Patients' Bill of 
Rights because it would increase costs and open employers to lawsuits, 
both of which would supposedly force employers to drop coverage.
  Essentially, the insurance companies are trying to kill meaningful 
HMO reform with half truths and scare tactics.
  The insurance industry, managed care organizations, HMOs and even big 
businesses have repeatedly tried to scare the American people saying 
the bill would dramatically raise premiums and force employers to drop 
health insurance for their employees.

[[Page H8878]]

  The American people need to know the truth and that is that the 
nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, after thoroughly analyzing 
each section of the Patients' Bill of Rights, has determined that the 
bill would cost beneficiaries less than $2 a month.
  In the State of Texas, where I come from, we have 2 years of 
experience with no increase attributable to the protections that we are 
trying to pass on the Federal level. That is right, for less than the 
cost of a Happy Meal, patients in HMOs would have what they really 
need, which is fairness, protection, and accountability.
  Another of the scare tactics is businesses will drop health insurance 
coverage. There has been no exodus by employers to drop health coverage 
in Texas after 2 years of the law. What we see is more States following 
the Texas experience. California just has, and what we need is to make 
sure we pass a law that affects all Americans and not just those under 
State insurance policies.

                          ____________________