[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 156 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S6195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                               Healthcare

  Mr. President, on healthcare there is a bit of good news. I just 
spoke with Senator Murray this morning. I saw Senator Alexander in the 
gym, as I do just about every morning. Both are two of about the best 
negotiators we have in this body. Both have come to agreements across 
the aisle on many other occasions. They both inform me that they are on 
the verge of a bipartisan healthcare agreement to stabilize markets and 
lower premiums.
  Now, we have had some bipartisan sprouts on healthcare recently. It 
is time for those sprouts to flower, and I am hopeful they will. I told 
Patty Murray that she has my faith and confidence. She has the freedom 
to cut the best deal she can, and I hope the leadership will tell the 
same to Senator Alexander.
  It was widely reported, before the Graham-Cassidy bill was withdrawn, 
that there was pressure on Senator Alexander to pull back. Well, that 
is over. Let's all come together. Our healthcare system needs it, and 
our constituents need it. They don't want premiums to go up and 
coverage to go down, and it would be a great start for some 
bipartisanship in this place, which I hope we can continue on more 
issues.