[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 21]
[Senate]
[Pages 28793-28794]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, the next few weeks will tell us a lot about 
whether Senators are more committed to solving problems or creating 
them. We have before us a historic occasion. That is where we are--a 
time in history where we have never been before--with the chance to 
ensure the well-being of both our fellow citizens and our recovering 
economy. We have before us the opportunity to relieve the suffering of 
many and prevent even worse pain in the future.
  But if we are to seize this opportunity, this debate must be on 
facts, not fear. We must remain focused on how we can best help the 
American people and the American economy, and we must avoid the 
temptation to drown in distractions and distortions. In other words, we 
must do our jobs.
  Last week, my counterpart--the distinguished Republican leader, 
Senator McConnell--called the health care crisis manufactured. The 
American people would beg to differ. I have said on this floor before, 
on several occasions, that last year 750,000 people filed for 
bankruptcy. That is true. I said previously that half the people who 
filed bankruptcy filed because of medical expenses. But we have learned 
of a report that came out last week which states that number is too 
small; that, realistically, it is about 70 percent of the people who 
file for bankruptcy file because of health care costs.
  I have also said on this floor that half the people who filed for 
bankruptcy because of medical expenses did so even though they had 
insurance. We learned last week that number is also too small; that it 
is 62 percent. That means 62 percent of the people who filed for 
bankruptcy because of medical expenses were already insured. Is that a 
crisis in America--750,000 people filing for bankruptcy and about 70 
percent of them filing because of health care costs, with 62 percent of 
those who filed for bankruptcy because of health care costs having 
health insurance? What a sad commentary on the present state of the 
health care delivery system in our country.
  This weekend the assistant Republican leader said we should go back 
to square one. In fact, his exact quote was: ``There is no way to fix 
this bill.'' That is what we do. We are legislators. I have been in 
Congress a long time. I have been fortunate to get things passed and 
never, ever have I gotten the legislation I wrote passed the way it was 
written. With rare exception that happens.
  I would say to my friend, the junior Senator from Arizona, that 
Republicans have had a seat at the table from the very beginning of the 
health care debate. An example of that was in the HELP Committee, where 
161 of the amendments Republicans offered in that committee were made a 
part of the bill that was reported out of that committee. So when you 
hear someone say there is no way to fix this bill, you have to look at 
the underlying statements this gentleman has made in the past: 
Basically, there is no problem with health care; things the way they 
are, are just fine; the fact that 750,000 people filed for bankruptcy 
last year, 70 percent because of health care costs, not important.
  That is exactly what the legislative process is all about--changing 
things, working on things, trying to improve them, taking out things 
you don't like, debating, amending, and improving. Democrats stand 
ready to do so. I hope my Republican colleagues recognize that, even if 
the party leaders deny it.
  As we round the latest turn along this journey, I renew my plea to 
this body--to Senators, Democrats, and Republicans: Let us discuss the 
specifics of this bill, not the whispers and wild rumors. While we 
disagree at times, let us at least agree that doing nothing is

[[Page 28794]]

not an option. While each of us may not say yes to each word of this 
bill as it currently reads, let us at least agree that simply saying no 
isn't enough.
  We will do this work transparently, and we will do this work 
tirelessly. That may mean debating and voting late at night. It 
definitely means, I say to everyone within the sound of my voice, the 
next weekends--plural--we will be working. I have events this weekend 
that I will have to postpone; some will have to cancel. That is the way 
it will have to be with everyone. There is not an issue more important 
than finishing this legislation.
  I know people have things they want to do back in their States and 
rightfully so. I know people have fundraisers because they are running 
for reelection. I know there are other important things they have to 
do. But nothing could be more important than this. We notified 
everybody prior to the break we would be working weekends. Our 
cloakroom did so by e-mails. We have transmitted this message time and 
time again. So we are going to have to work Saturdays and Sundays.
  This crisis--and, yes, it is a real crisis--is simply too hazardous 
to our country and to its health not to work as much and as long as we 
have to. This is a good bill we have before us. It saves lives, saves 
money, and saves Medicare.
  The evidence about this continues to pour in. Just a few days ago an 
MIT economist--one of the Nation's foremost economists--a man by the 
name of Jonathan Gruber, analyzed our bill and concluded it will help 
Americans pay less and get more. He found that while the cost of 
private insurance continues to rise at extremely rapid rates, those who 
use the new health care insurance changes we propose will save 
hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of dollars per year per person.
  I am gratified we have already taken health insurance reform further 
than at any point in American history, but I am not satisfied and will 
not rest until we finish the job. Health care fairness will come if we 
dedicate the coming weeks to solutions, not scare tactics.

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