[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H1647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lewis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, America has the best health 
care system in the world.
  Long before coming to Congress, I spent my energy in the life and 
health insurance field. In selling individual contracts, I found that 
questions of preexisting conditions and portability were a major 
concern for people buying individual health insurance contracts.
  Over the years, I became convinced that these two major challenges 
could be solved by breaking down the walls between the individual 
States. This would provide a much larger pool of applicants, thus 
allowing for a much more reasonable base to underwrite the cost of 
covering those preexisting conditions and allowing for more effective 
portability.

                              {time}  1040

  When we debated how to solve the problems affecting our health care 
system 2 years ago, many were warned that government would go too far 
and must not be the solution. Our former Speaker said, ``We have to 
pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.'' Well, now we 
know what is in it, and it's time to speak up.
  Mr. and Mrs. America, do not allow a federally mandated program to 
undermine the best health care system in the world. Do not allow a 
Federal mandate to get between you and your physician. Do not allow 
government to undermine your right to choose between the great variety 
of protection available in the marketplace. Do not allow a politically 
appointed board to ration health care in the name of reducing costs. Do 
not allow the Federal Government to take us down the pathway to 
socialized medicine. Do not allow us to be dominated by those who would 
have America look more and more like Europe.
  So, Mr. and Mrs. America, it's time for all of us to come together. 
We can solve the problems of our existing health care system without 
allowing a bunch of unelected bureaucrats getting between you and great 
health care.
  You need to tell Congress to do their job--solve the problems without 
destroying the best health care system in the world.

                          ____________________