Herb Kohl: “earlier today I noted the serious problem this Congress faced in 1994 when it tried to take on too many health…”

“earlier today I noted the serious problem this Congress faced in 1994 when it tried to take on too many health care-related issues under one bill. We learned that painful lesson during debate on the President's health care reform proposal. For that reason, I mentioned that some amendments that would come up today, no matter how meritorious, should be considered on future measures and not impede passage of the Health insurance Reform Act. Several amendments required votes today that, in another context, I would have strongly supported. The issue of life-time caps, and treatment of mental health coverage were passionately debated and deserve the attention of this Congress. My votes on these issues were not intended to approve or disapprove of their merits. My overriding concern was that they could complicate this narrowly crafted proposal and jeopardize any chance at health reform this year. The sooner we pass this bill to address insurance problems of pre-existing condition exclusions, portability and renewability, the sooner we can address other pressing problems that affect the quality of health care in this Nation. In the interest of time, I believe we should pass a clean health reform bill. I also believe that Congress should carefully consider several of the measures that failed today as soon as possible.”