Cliff Stearns: “I want to welcome North Marion Middle School and Osceola Middle School to Washington. I want these young adults and…”

“I want to welcome North Marion Middle School and Osceola Middle School to Washington. I want these young adults and their parents to have the same opportunity for health care that I have and other Government employees have. I would point out to my colleagues that I am talking about the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program. This is the package that is available to the President, the Vice President, Federal employees, and of course, Members of Congress. This program's annual cost increase have averaged one-third less than other private health insurance programs. Legislation I have introduced, the Consumer Choice Health Security Act, would offer to the American people the same option of health care choices now enjoyed by all of us. We would also allow and encourage purchasing co-op's to exist, whether they be formed by unions, civic associations, churches, or employers. Individuals can choose among plans offered by all of these groups when selecting coverage. Mr. Speaker, what is good for the goose should be good for the gander. That is why we should support the Consumer Choice Health Security Act, instead of the Clinton health care plan which would increase taxes, inflict job-destroying employer mandates on small business, and restrict the full choice of health care options that all Americans deserve. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H.R. 3698.”