Jay Rockefeller: “Today hope is restored as we turn the desire for health care reform into reality. When the Kassebaum-Kennedy bill is…”

“Today hope is restored as we turn the desire for health care reform into reality. When the Kassebaum-Kennedy bill is signed into law, which will happen very soon, some of the most maddening, often cruel problems with America's health care system will begin to get fixed. When you look at all the hard work that went into getting this bill hammered out and on the brink of enactment, we could fill Olympic Stadium with the people who deserve some of the credit. But two individuals win the health reform gold medals in achieving this victory for millions and millions of Americans. The senior Senators from Kansas and Massachusetts have been true champions in leading what turned into a legislative marathon for health care reform. On behalf of the people of my State, and from my own heart, I thank both colleagues for their incredible feat. Over the past few years, Americans had every reason to wonder if Congress would ever be capable of doing anything ever again about the health care problems that cause them so much pain.”