Richard Gephardt: “for weeks now, the pundits and the back-seat policymakers have been pronouncing health care reform dead on arrival.…”

“for weeks now, the pundits and the back-seat policymakers have been pronouncing health care reform dead on arrival. Every day we read about the multimillion dollar negative ad campaigns, the high stakes lobbying blitz, the arm-twisting by the special interests. Those of us who have been fighting to guarantee decent, affordable health care for every single American have certainly had an uphill fight. But today, it is clear we are winning that fight. Today, it is clear that for all the public pronouncements and cynical assessments, Congress is actually moving forward on health care reform--quietly, deliberately, and responsibly. Yesterday, the gentleman from California [Mr. Stark] led the Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Health, to an important victory. They supported a bill that contains all the crucial elements of the President's health care plan. It guarantees affordable coverage that can never be taken away. It lets you choose your doctor and your health plan. It protects and strengthens Medicare. It makes all the unfair insurance practices illegal. And most importantly, the subcommittee's bill means that all the expert predictions about the death of national health care are just plain wrong. Mr. Speaker, actions speak louder than words. And here on Capitol Hill, a single vote is worth 1,000 soundbites. So, I join with all of my colleagues in praising the gentleman from California [Mr. Stark] and the members of his subcommittee.”