Tom Harkin: “I rise today to offer the Move It or Lose It Health Coverage Act. This is a straightforward bill that says if Members of…”

“I rise today to offer the Move It or Lose It Health Coverage Act. This is a straightforward bill that says if Members of Congress fail to move health insurance portability for Americans in a way that can be signed into law, then they will lose the health insurance portability that they now enjoy. If we don't pass it for America, we lose it for ourselves. My legislation is designed with one goal in mind: to build up the pressure to provide greater health security for millions of American families. Mr. President, when many Members of Congress leave office today, they can take their health care with them. No need to worry about preexisting condition exclusions or waiting periods or cancellations of policy if they become sick. It's all taken care of. Everything's covered. Not so for far too many working families. Millions of Americans today face preexisting condition exclusions because they change jobs, lose jobs, or work for employers who change insurance policies. The legislation I offer today says plain and simple--as long as health insurance portability is denied to working Americans, it ought to be denied to Members of Congress as well. Holding office shouldn't insulate anyone from all the health insurance concerns that face working families in America every day. And I am hopeful that this bill I offer today will provide the incentive needed for all of us to come together and pass responsible health insurance reform legislation for all Americans.”