Senate Proceeding on Jul 24th, 2009 :: 1:56:40 to 2:23:20
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1:56:37 to 1:56:58( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: mr. reed: thank you, mr. president. first, let me begin by thanking and commending senator dodd, who really was the catalyst for the deliberations on health care in the "help" committee. his patience, his understanding, and his determination were probably the three critical factors that got this bill

1:56:40 to 2:23:20( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jack Reed

1:56:59 to 1:57:20( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: through the committee and to the floor, and he has made a singular contribution to the progress of this debate on health care, which he eloquently described family in this country. and i know he's performing these duties w real champion of health care,

1:57:21 to 1:57:42( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: senator ted kennedy, is in the wings him and guiding him. but senator kennedy's presence was palpable, and ihink our efforts today and in the days ahead will culminate, i hope -- as legislation that can be signed

1:57:43 to 1:58:03( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: by the president with senator kennedy there and senator dodd, and i can't think of two people who would deserve such a place of honor. thank you, senator, for your work. mr. president, we hear often from the opponents of health insurance reform that the vast majority of americans are happy with their insurance, and that's true.

1:58:04 to 1:58:24( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: but it's only one side of the coin. americans are glad they have insurance, but they're worried they might lose it, and they are very worried that the cost of health insurance just keeps going up and up and up. and all americans and, frankly,

1:58:25 to 1:58:45( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: they see family members who don't have insurance, when they see friend whose lose their insurance, when they see people who lose their jobs and their health insurance. they're not happy when they face piles of do for private insurance companies. they're not happy about the runaround in terms of voice mail messages after voice mail

1:58:46 to 1:59:09( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: messages, holding for mince and mince and mince and mince, many of the things that senator dodd has -- for minutes and minutes and minutes, many of the things that senator dodd has explained. and they're not particularly happy when they are either denied coverage or denied payment on a claim, when preexisting conditions

1:59:10 to 1:59:32( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: invoked, either du to deny a policy or deny a claim. so there are significant areas where we must improve health care for the nation. the opponents of health care are talking about a government takeover and bureaucrats, et cetera. but the reality today is -- and everyone knows it -- is that there are america

1:59:55 to 2:00:15( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: and less expensive health insurance system, between being denied health insurance or a marketplace where competion and choices are one where health insurance will double in costs or one that will control costs. between a system where families lose coverage every year or a system that covers more of our

2:00:16 to 2:00:36( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: relatives and neighbors. between a health insurance system that will keep adding and adding to the deficit or a system tha government costs over the long run. that's the choice facing the senate and the american people. and in the face of a stark reality of a broken health care system or a status quo that is untenabl the "help" committee

2:00:37 to 2:00:58( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: and the president made the right choice to fix it. done as a result of the leadership of senator dodd. in contrast, the republica have chosen by and large just simply t health care system, the one that is denying care to millions of

2:00:59 to 2:01:20( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: americans, the one that can't be sustained financially going forward by families or by government. and they'd rather talk about waterloo and a host of other hobgoblins than do the hard work of health reform that we must do.

2:01:21 to 2:01:42( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: we succomb to 1993 -- as it was in993 and 1994 by proponents of reform and the status quo or we can roll our sleeves and work on health care reform. that is what moment. senator baucus is reaching out as senator dodd reached out to try to develop a plan that

2:01:43 to 2:02:03( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: cannot only pass this congress, but also benefit the american people in the long run. there are many specific elements in the "help" committee bill and the bill t will bring from the finance committee, but there were five key principles by which we were guided. one, we will pay for the cost of reforming the health insurance

2:02:04 to 2:02:27( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: system. two, we'll start controlling costs today and in the future. three, we'll preserve and expand insurance choices for the american people. four, we'll cover as many americans as we can through commonsense steps that increase health security and stability for families.

2:02:28 to 2:02:49( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: and, five, we will reward everything we do in health care reform should be guided by these principles. now let me take a moment to talk more about our health care system and how we got we saw, looking back years at the turn of the 20th century, significant technology

2:02:50 to 2:03:10( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: in medical advances, yielded super kwror treatments, more effective training of physicians, higher quality care. more americans demanded access to care. but for many, the cost was too expensive. the problem intensified during the great depression, and doctors were ill equipped. and because of the financial cris, unprepared to help many

2:03:33 to 2:03:54( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: we somewhat unwittingly through the tax system to subsidize employer-based health car all of prest situation. but constantly throughout those years, the congresses have recognized the

2:03:55 to 2:04:15( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: need for comprehensive reform to make health care aff accessible for all americans affordab whole. harry truman, jimmy carter, bill clinton, all endeavored to change the health care system. we are still at that great task,

2:04:16 to 2:04:40( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: and this time we must succeed. we have seen in the past few years change the health care system. in 2003, under president bush's urging, medicare passed. that was done without paying for it. it was done with deficit

2:04:41 to 2:05:01( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: spending, and it was done supposedly with a price tag that later turned into $1.2 trillion over ten years. that was an initiative supported by president bush and by the republicans. so we're in a situa that's different. as i said, we're determined to pay for this. we're determined to make it work.

2:05:02 to 2:05:23( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: and we're determined to make it over the long run contain the cost control at this moment. now, we've also seen the need, because of the curre cris, to accelerate our reform efforts.

2:05:24 to 2:05:45( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: in my state of around 12.4% of the population is unemployed. that is adding to the rolls of those who are uninsured. they're losing their coverage if they're being dismissed from their work, or their employer is scrapping coverage just to save the company and keep some people working. we've seen in premiums, for those that still have access to

2:06:08 to 2:06:30( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: point where families cannot afford it, where state governments cannot afford it, where the federal government cannot afford it. and we have to recognize that standing pat, doing nothing, coming up with some of the oldemedies -- get everyone a tax credit that's less than

2:06:31 to 2:06:51( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: the cost of an insurance policy, n't reform the insurance system by eliminating preexisting conditions, require insurance companies to give insurance to those people who are actually may be sick -- all of these things if we don't do are going

2:06:52 to 2:07:12( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: and economic crisis of the first order. so, we must act, and we have acted. president obama is determined to make this i think he about insisting on action now.

2:07:13 to 2:07:34( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: i recall the debate i 1993 and 1994. and, frankly, we're much farther ahead than we were in 1993 and 1994, because about health care reform in 1993. this was a major issue in the election. by t passing legislation, it was really the summer of 1994, and we ran out of time.

2:07:35 to 2:07:56( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: we can't run out of timeow. the president's right to insist we kee until we reach the objective. now, the president said it very well wednesday if somebody told you that there's a plan out guaranteed to double your health care costs over the next ten years, that's guaranteed to

2:07:57 to 2:08:18( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: result in more americans losing their health care, and that is by far the biggest contributor to our federal deficit, i think most people would be opposed to that. that's what we have right now. if we don't change, we can't expect a different result. if we don't change, we can't expect a different result.

2:08:19 to 2:08:39( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: and with health care reform. we must do it deliberately, and we must do it in a timely way. as one who sat on the "help" committee unde of chairman dodd -- chairman kennedy and acting chairman dodd, there was a great effort to work through these issues. we spent hours and hours and hours.

2:08:40 to 2:09:01( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: we had 13 committee hearings. we had 14 bipartisan round table discussions. as we should, we spent hours -- 20 hours, i believe -- with republican colleagues in an informal walk through the bill, getting their impression. we entertain amendments, and major contributions were made, as

2:09:02 to 2:09:23( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: senator do republican colleagues, along with my democratic colleagues. and then we passed legislation. this work must continue with that same intensity, senator baucus in the finance committee is doing that. and i hope that we return in

2:09:24 to 2:09:45( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: september now fully engaged and ready to move on this issue. i want to make a couple of poin that is emerging from both the "help" committee and i anticipate from the finance committee. first of all, we have included in our bill items -- and the

2:09:46 to 2:10:06( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: finance committee will do the same -- that will ensure that this is fully paid for, unlike the medicare part-d proposal of the bush administration. c.b.o. has hearing before the budget committee that they are not convinced that we are going to be able costs going forward. but i want

2:10:28 to 2:10:49( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: they can't and w't predict what's the effect of a healthy american, what's the effect of health care for children that treats adequately than lets it spiral out of control. the trust for america's health, for example, found that by investing $10

2:10:50 to 2:11:10( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: improving community-based programs to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, prevent smoking tobacco use would save the nation at least $16 billion annually within five years. out of the $16 billion in savings, it is estimated medicare could save more than $5 billion, medicaid save more than $1.9 billion and the private

2:11:11 to 2:11:31( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: insurance companies could save more than those savings are not factored into the c.b.o.'s projections because they -- several reasons. one, they're hard to predict and they don't want to take that risk. but, second, they will only record savings that accrue directly back to the federal government.

2:11:32 to 2:11:52( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: the millions that are being saved by private insurance companies through prevention, that's a saving that they will enjoy, the country will enjoy, families will enjoy, but it will not be scored by c.b.o. we've also taken some significant steps to ensure that

2:11:53 to 2:12:13( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: in the public and private insurance sectors. the national health care association estimates that 3% of all health spending each year -- more than $70 billion -- is lost to fraud perpetrated against public and private health plans. antifraud efforts in the medicare program have been demonstrated to return $17 for

2:12:14 to 2:12:34( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: every $1 invested in these activities, and we've expanded these activities in this legislation. we also expect cost savings through the use technology. already the american recovery and reinvestment act, we provide $19.2 billion to hospitals, doctors and clinics for this purpose. and according to rand

2:12:35 to 2:12:56( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: corporation, we could save up to $77 billion each year in medical costs through health information technology. once again, this type of saving is not included in the c.b.o. calculation. but in addition to the savings that we anticipate, we're still

2:12:57 to 2:13:18( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: going to pay for the costs that the c.b.o. calculated. the finance committee is committed to do that. and it should be noted significantly that president obama has already received commitments from health care industries to ensure the cost of payment can plan. the american hospital association has pledged $155 billion of anticipated cost reductions.

2:13:19 to 2:13:42( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: the drug companies have promised $80 billion. these costs, range will not cover the whole cost, but that is where the finance committee will augment with their proposals. these groups, along with insurance companies and doctors, have also pledged to slow the rise in heal

2:13:43 to 2:14:04( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: this is mh different than 1993 and 1994. the president has engaged not only the congress, but also the major stakeholders in the heah care system. indeed, one of the things that i find remarkable is some people running around talking this is a nationalization of health it is the health care.

2:14:05 to 2:14:27( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: it is going to be government bureaucrats. well, if that is the case, why is the private insurance industry not only cooperating, but pledging to participate cost reductions? they must feel that their security and safety financially and economically is not being jeopardized. so we are going to pay for we're also going to expand

2:14:28 to 2:14:48( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: co you can get it, but you can keep the coverage. and the same thing goes with respect to keeping your doctor. one of the guiding principles that the president announced initially was if you like your health care, you can keep it. and we have stayed true to that principle in terms of the construct that has emerged from

2:14:49 to 2:15:10( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: the "help" committee. we've also tried to provide assistance to those people who need help to buy insurance so that it's affordable. they will have the choice. again, many that my colleagues on the other side have made throughout the years,

2:15:11 to 2:15:33( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: of arrangements to the tax code is nice, but if it's not sufficient to pay the premium, then it is ineffectual. we are going to make sure not only you have the you also can afford that chase. -- that choice. so we have listened to a whole range of proposals. we have listened to those who

2:15:34 to 2:15:54( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: are proponents of the single-payer system and those who stress a strong community option. we have clearly staked our reform on a competive market that will have a public option to spur competion, but will not in

2:15:55 to 2:16:15( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: primacyf private health care insurance. now, we are moving forward with this we have created a system of gateways where citizens can come, select a choice of private insurance or of community option, of public -- a

2:16:16 to 2:16:37( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: publicly-organized option. and we insurance reform. so that preexisting conditions, limits on policy payments, all those things would be a thing of the past. we believe that the -- this legislation will provide greater stability for

2:16:38 to 2:17:00( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: not only financial, but that peace of mind. the notion that when i go to the doctor, i won't have to well, will they accept this claim? when i go to the doctor and i make the claim, will i then be told that what happened to me 20 years ago was a preexisting cap-and-trade therefore they're

2:17:01 to 2:17:22( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: not pay -- a preexisting condition and therefore they're not paying. the peace of mind if i have employer-based health care and lose it, i will be able to go into the gateway and if i need assistance, will be able to purchase health care for my family. these, i think are important aspects of this legislation. as important as some of the

2:18:08 to 2:18:29( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: saved about $75 million and 1,500 lives. those types of innovations. those types of reforms are designed now to be disbursed throughout the system. we prea

2:18:51 to 2:19:12( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: deductibles and encourage employers to offer wellness programs. as it's been said before, you know, we want to transform this system not only organizationally and financially, but we want to transform it from treating sick necessary to promoting wellness in this -- wellness and this legislation

2:19:13 to 2:19:34( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: will go a long way to doing that and it will also affect the cost for all of us. we have, i think, also recognized that everyone has to be part of this effort. if we were to require insurers to take everyone, but not require everyone to purchase insurance, we would have the

2:19:35 to 2:19:55( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: classic problem where the healthy would be the free who would not buy insurance, the sickest would need insurance and would buy it and the system wouldn't work. so our legislation requires the responsibility of every american to participate. we will help those who are of modest income to meet this

2:19:56 to 2:20:18( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: obligation. we also are still working through many significant issues. you know, i -- i think the time that we now have will be used wise and well. there are many, many different aspects of this legislation that we recognize can we hope it will be by the finance committ

2:20:19 to 2:20:41( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: and by our floor deliberations. my colleues are proposing ideas, for rockefeller has suggested that we use the procedure for the medicare patient advisory commission. these are experts on health care to provi

2:20:42 to 2:21:03( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: recommendations but binding policies subject to a congress on the types of treatments that would be offered, the medical issues that have to be this would give us, i think, an interesting way to deal with the issue of effectiveness of treatment as well as cost of treatment.

2:21:04 to 2:21:24( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: and this is something i think we muss consider as we again, dealing with this issue of cost which is so central. i raised this issue with the chairman of the federal reserve, and he he was in -- and he was in his way

2:21:25 to 2:21:47( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: the need for reform. but he also stressed that that reform from an economic standpoint has to emphasize cost containment, cost controls, and this idea senator rockefeller proposed is something that has to be seriously looked others have proposed ways to fire the system in addition to

2:21:48 to 2:22:08( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: has received from the major industry players, the hospitals, the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry. we have to pursue all of those. we have reached a point now that we need -- we need we can't afford to wait.

2:22:09 to 2:22:31( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: this is the second time in my relatively brief career in the congress that we have faced the issue of national health care reform. in 1993 and 1994 we fawltd. it got -- faulted. it's gotten worse since then, not better. and it will get much worse if we don't succeed this time.

2:22:32 to 2:22:52( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: now, i would encourage all of my colleagues to work together. what i sense is that americans want, need, and deserve access toomprehensive, affordable, quality, efficient health care. that's what my constituents are asking for. we have a plan for o reform and also t

2:22:53 to 2:23:13( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: spending. the current path is unsustainable. and those who advocate less cost by better health insurance have an obligation to offer something more than a tax credit proposal here or there or, you know, make it a private responsibility.

2:23:14 to 2:23:22( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: we need a real plan. we cannot afford another missed opportunity. and i would urge all of my