Victor Fazio: “I had not intended to speak on this, but I felt at this point that I would want to comment. The gentleman from Rhode…”

“I had not intended to speak on this, but I felt at this point that I would want to comment. The gentleman from Rhode Island raises what I think are generally concerns about the entire way the health insurance industry is regulated in this country and the problem with adverse selection and other factors that really can work against the interest of working people and seniors generally. There is not doubt that this body needs to address unfair insurance practices and the overall problems of our patchwork health care systems. Furthermore, I do not believe that debate over this measure should be mistaken for the broader debate that needs to take place over protecting and improving on our Medicare system. What is important to keep in mind is that this program has been a positive if small step, toward providing more MediGap options for seniors who can get additional benefits at no more cost. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support not only of this rule, but of expanding this effort to experiment with health maintenance organizations and other forms of managed care in all 50 states.”