Jane Harman: “I rise today on behalf of moderation and bipartisan cooperation and in strong support of the Health Coverage…”

“I rise today on behalf of moderation and bipartisan cooperation and in strong support of the Health Coverage Availability conference report. After months and months of gridlock, we finally have before us a solid health care compromise. This legislation shows what is possible if we put partisanship behind us and work from the sensible center for the betterment of our country. Over the last decade, thousands of high-skill, high-wage workers in California's South Bay have lost their jobs because of defense downsizing. While many successfully found new employment, some cannot obtain medical insurance for themselves and their families because of preexisting health conditions. This bill generally prohibits insurers from excluding coverage of preexisting conditions and ensures that individuals would not lose their health insurance coverage when they move from one job to another. The conference report's bipartisan character is particularly apparent in the section authorizing medical savings accounts. I'm pleased with the language establishing an MSA trial program. This way we can collect accurate evidence on how MAS's affect the quality and scope of health coverage for everyone. Mr. Speaker, if we govern together from the sensible center, we will be successful. If we resort to partisan bickering, we are doomed to failure. Americans want and deserve a Congress that works. This conference report is evidence that it can.”