Political Quotes

“This bill moves in exactly the opposite direction. By preempting our States in health insurance, which has been a traditional role for State governments to regulate, this bill moves in the wrong direction. It preempts our States without providing adequate Federal protection. Mr. Speaker, let me just give one example of the impact that this bill will have, if it becomes law, on the State of Maryland. We enacted small market reform in our State. It covers employers that have employees, between 2 and 50 employees. It also covers the association plans, and now also covers our self-employed. The plan is working. Mr. Speaker, let me just read from a letter that I received from our State officials: The reforms went into effect July 1, 1994. . . . The small business community (the Maryland Chamber, Retail Merchants Association, individual businesses) and insurance agents report the reforms have stabilized the market, increased price competition, and increased choice of delivery systems. The reforms proved so successful to the general assembly that they expanded it to include the self-employed.”