Orrin Hatch: “Last week, we were all dismayed to learn the Census Bureau figures indicate the number of uninsured in our country has…”

“Last week, we were all dismayed to learn the Census Bureau figures indicate the number of uninsured in our country has risen from 39.8 million in 2000 to 41.2 million in 2001. Of even greater concern is the fact that most of the newly uninsured previously had employer-based coverage. Obviously, this is a trend in the wrong direction despite years of efforts here in Washington to improve our country's health care delivery system. Clearly, we must take another approach. In a nutshell, the legislation that Senator Wyden and I are introducing today will stimulate fruitful discussion and debate on how we can really effect improvements to our nation's health care system-- improvements that can be accepted at all levels, from communities on up to the Federal government. We have worked on this bill for several months and are proud to have reached bipartisan consensus.”