Political Quotes

“They say their staff starts at $4.50 an hour. The only benefit they got was group health insurance. Now they cannot get that. Why? Because two of their employees were pregnant and one had diabetes so they were denied coverage. So there is no misunderstanding, recognize, Mr. President, that the denial of coverage does not apply only to institutions dealing with the needy and the poor like the Nevada Association of Latin Americans but also the so-called rich have trouble getting insurance. I went to an ophthalmologist in Las Vegas, and as we were sitting talking after my examination, he said, ``Harry, I hope you can do something about the health care system.'' He said, ``I have 27 employees.'' This is an outstanding physician who has been in practice for many years, has a wonderful reputation. He said, ``Harry, I have 27 employees. One of my employees got cancer and they are not going to rewrite my policy. I am having a tough time finding somebody who will cover my 27 employees.'' So this is endemic. It is a problem with everybody in America today. We have to change the system. The present system is simply not working. We need to understand that small businesses will be better off by far if we have a fair employer responsibility program. And we have one contained in the President's bill. It creates an even playing field which allows small businesses to pool. It eliminates insurance practices that discriminate. It reduces the administrative burden.”