Frank Pallone: “I have offered this motion to recommit with instructions with my colleague from Missouri because I am concerned that we…”

“I have offered this motion to recommit with instructions with my colleague from Missouri because I am concerned that we are about to go down a perilous path of ending any chances of health insurance reform. Our motion to recommit incorporates the Kennedy-Kassebaum-Roukema provisions without any additions. It would make it easier for workers who lose or change jobs to buy health coverage. It would limit the length of time that insurers could refuse to cover an applicant's preexisting medical problems. There are two distinct choices that we can make with this next vote. This House can make the decision to support this motion and do the right thing for the American people, or the House can vote against this motion and tell the American people that it is more important to keep promises with various special interests. The Kennedy-Kassebaum-Roukema bill is crafted to keep premiums affordable, because it would not impact the insurance risk pool by encouraging healthy individuals to drop their coverage. It has bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The President has indicated that he will support the Roukema bill. The motion to recommit will ensure that this legislation is enacted into law. Why does the Republican leadership insist on messing up this legislation with controversial poison pill amendments?”