Jim Baird: “I rise today along with many Members of my fellow freshman Democrats to address an issue that is central for the…”

“I rise today along with many Members of my fellow freshman Democrats to address an issue that is central for the citizens of our country and to our State. As many of us have just finished long campaigns, we are firsthand in touch with the needs of the people of this country, and one of those crying needs is clearly the need for HMO reform. We are here today to talk about that issue and to talk about what we can do to solve this critical problem. The distinguished colleagues who have joined me today will talk about their perspective from firsthand experience with their constituents with people needing health care who have been prevented from getting the health care they need unfortunately by the current status quo. Several years ago, the health care industry launched a massive advertising campaign. There was a couple named Harry and Louise who threatened us that the sky was going to fall if the President's health care plan passed. Without commenting on the merits of that particular plan, I can comment on what Harry and Louise said.”