Arlen Specter: “many may believe that health care reform is not an issue in the 104th Congress. But I have been advocating reform in one…”

“many may believe that health care reform is not an issue in the 104th Congress. But I have been advocating reform in one form or another throughout my now 15 years in the Senate, and I continue to do so. I have come to the floor on 14 occasions over just the last 3 years to urge the Senate to address health care reform. On the first day the Congress was in session in 1993 and again on the first day in 1995, I introduced comprehensive health care legislation. The Health Care Assurance Act of 1995, S. 18, which I introduced on January 4 of this year, is comprised of reform initiatives that our health care system needs and can adopt immediately. They are reforms which can both improve access and affordability of coverage and health care delivery and implement systemic changes to bring down the escalating cost of care. Today, I again address my colleagues on the issue of health care access. I want to bring to the Senate's attention a particular component of our health care delivery system which is uniquely poised to provide innovative services which respond to the particular needs of individual communities, but which is in jeopardy-- nonprofit hospitals. In my view it is indispensable that there be comprehensive affordable, accessible health care for all Americans.”