What level of benefits--we are making progress. The gentleman has agreed, if I could identify it, the gentleman has agreed that there are a group, perhaps as many as 10 million, maybe not, that the Federal Government should finally----

When should that group get insurance who are poor, poor uninsured, unemployed, and who in the final analysis the Federal Government should support? I agree with you. At what point in time should we have that in place? By the end of this…

First you will have to agree to the Federal Government providing the care. If that is what the gentleman agreed to, there could be some progress.

Now answer your own. You said it quite well. You said it should be the Federal Government and the question is when. When do you think that should come into effect for the 37 million uninsured? Do you have a time in mind?

I would ask, Mr. Speaker, for the very poorest and those for whom medical care is not available, who would you suggest is responsible in the final analysis, who should provide the safety net for the unemployed or the poor in this country?

For those for whom it is unavailable, the Government should do it immediately, if possible, with benefits about as generous as we have. Now, how would you suggest we all pay for that?

I said the poor and the uninsured who in no other way could get insurance, and I think you answered. You answered that.

I am reminded of ``waltzing Matilda,'' and I would direct our first question, because it was again today that the gentleman, Mr. Thomas, pontificated about helping medical teaching hospitals, to promote quality in health care. Last Friday…

If I could finish my statement. There are now national health boards that provide quite well for advising Congress for what we need.

Cutting 13 billion out of teaching hospitals helps them. On the same day that the gentleman did that he voted to cut $45 billion out of Medicare. Did that help the seniors in their Medicare in the same way?

I should certainly hope so, after the experience we have had with the ripoff of this AmGen Co., which is making unconscionable profits on people who need dialysis, unwilling to bargain with the United States, while we throw the taxpayers'…

The gentleman correctly states my position. I support alliances such as the CalPers plan in California, but not----