[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 25, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H4056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     UNIVERSAL COVERAGE INEVITABLE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, we in the Congress are in danger of 
becoming as irrelevant to medicine as the use of leaches are to the 
cure of patients.
  Last night the House took what some called a bold step to approve to 
thoughtful, modest bill to advance stem cell research to use science to 
alleviate pain and suffering and prolong life.
  To its credit the House followed the guiding principle written 
thousands of years ago by Hippocrates, the father of medicine. ``I will 
apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my 
ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice.''
  That statement was taken directly from the Hippocratic Oath that I 
and every other medical doctor swears to uphold. That is what we did 
last night. We took a small step on the path of hope last night but it 
will not go very far.
  The President, bowing to the religious fanatics, has already declared 
he will veto the stem cell bill. Vowing allegiance to the right wing, 
the President will use the veto stamp to wash his hands of any hope 
that science can commute a sentence of debilitating pain and suffering, 
or even death, imposed on countless Americans.
  Other nations are intent on living in the 21st century with or 
without the United States. Under this administration, we are more 
dependent than ever on countries to loan us money to keep the lights on 
under the Republican budget assault. Now the administration intends to 
make us more dependent than ever before on countries for advances in 
medicine and science.
  We have great research scientists in this country, including the 
University of Washington. The President will tell them that his 
administration chooses the religious right over the human right to live 
your life without pain and suffering. For this, history will judge us 
equal to the political leadership last seen in the Dark Ages. Despite 
this, I believe that we are at the dawn of a new medical renaissance, 
and not even the extreme right wing in this country can stop it. The 
mass of Americans will stop it.
  We have all known someone who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease 
or Lou Gehrig's disease or diabetes or a spinal cord injury, and now we 
have hope that stem cell research can unlock the secrets to relieve 
suffering. We could get there faster if we renew our relevance as 
political leaders and support groundbreaking scientific and medical 
research, but we will get there.
  Today, 47 million Americans have no health insurance. Millions of 
other Americans can barely afford health care and still others avoid 
going to the doctor because of copays or having to work a second or 
third job to make ends meet. More and more companies are forcing their 
workers to shoulder most, if not all, of the financial burden of 
obtaining health care. Health care costs in this country are soaring 
and there appears to be no end in sight.
  This is health care in America today. But tomorrow it will be 
different.
  Scientists have cracked the genetic code, taking the first steps to 
predicting serious illness and disease before a baby is born. 
Treatments will come before the baby is born. The day is coming when we 
will be able to predict and treat serious illness and disease before it 
strikes.
  Traditional health insurance as we know it will end. We will have no 
alternative, but to have universal national coverage.
  Today, we talk about prevention and we mean going to the doctor 
before we get sick. Tomorrow we will redefine prevention as curing what 
ails you before it ails you. The heroes and heroines are working in the 
research laboratories right now. People do not read about it in the 
newspapers or see it on television, but they are there and they are 
changing their world for the better. It will not come easy and it will 
not come quick, and in some cases, it will not come cheap.
  I look ahead to see a world where we care enough about one another 
that we will vow as a nation to follow the oath I take as a doctor. Do 
everything in your power to alleviate pain and suffering.
  We voted for hope in the House of Representatives last night. The 
President will try and take that away. But he cannot stop the spark of 
genius God gave to men and women of faith and science.
  The American people may not have reason to believe in their national 
leaders, but they do have every reason to be proud of the men and women 
who use science, intellect and personal faith to save lives and end 
suffering.
  Universal coverage is coming sooner than you think.

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