Political Quotes

“for the past 5 years, the issue of health care reform has been at the top of our national agenda. The need for an overhaul in our health care delivery system was a centerpiece of President Clinton's campaign, and our inability to enact comprehensive reform legislation 2 years ago was a profound disappointment. The debate on the size and scope of the Federal budget and on various items within the so-called Contract With America have dominated congressional business for much of the last year and a half. Nevertheless, there remains a firm national consensus that something must be done to reform the health care system. In light of all the money spent on the provision of health care in this Nation, it is surprising that we have not already found a way to deliver a sufficient level of care to the millions of citizens who do not have health insurance. The Department of Health and Human Services estimates that between 32 and 37 million Americans have no health insurance, and an additional 50 to 60 million are underinsured. As translated by the Office of Management and Budget, a total of 13 percent of all Americans are completely uninsured, with as many as 28 percent without insurance for 1 month or more. The Labor Department reports that each year, one million people lose their health insurance.”