James Whittier Parker: “I want to congratulate the many Members who have been instrumental in bringing to the floor this important health care…”

“I want to congratulate the many Members who have been instrumental in bringing to the floor this important health care reform legislation. In the 103d Congress, a number of us worked diligently on a similar, incremental package that would have corrected many identifiable problems in our health care delivery system. Unfortunately, we never had an opportunity to vote on such a measure. Today, however, I am pleased that we will finally be able to tell our constituents that help is on the way--changes will be made to address many of their health care concerns. The passage of this legislation will assure people that they can change jobs and obtain group health insurance coverage through a new employer, without pre-existing condition limitations. For those individuals who are between jobs and have been unable to obtain coverage due to a pre-existing condition, this bill will make it possible for them to do so. For small employers, new pooling arrangements and an increased deduction for health insurance premiums will make it easier for them to purchase insurance coverage for their employees. For individuals and families, medical savings accounts will now be available that allow them to control their own health care decisions and costs. And for the many States like my own that provide health care coverage for uninsured high-risk individuals, this bill will clarify the tax-exempt status of State-established health insurance risk pools.”