Frank Pallone: “the reason I am here today is because Democrats as a party in the House of Representatives, basically over 170…”

“the reason I am here today is because Democrats as a party in the House of Representatives, basically over 170 democratic Members of the House of Representatives, are uniting behind a proposal that would make modest but important improvements in America's health insurance. Basically it would provide access to more Americans so that they can have health insurance, and guaranteeing also that if they lose their job or change jobs, that they can carry their insurance with them. The bill that we are all uniting behind and cosponsoring is sponsored in the House of Representatives by the gentlewoman from New Jersey, Mrs. Marge Roukema, a Republican and a colleague of mine, and her bill is basically the same as the one that is sponsored in the Senate by Senators Kassebaum and Ted Kennedy. So this is a bipartisan effort. Basically, it is a bipartisan effort to try to bring very modest health insurance reform to the American people. I should also point out that in his State of the Union Address, President Clinton said that he would sign this bill if it was passed by the Senate and the House and brought to his desk.”