Congressional Record—Senate S6696
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S6696 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 19, 1998 I further ask unanimous consent that the from any kind of effort to try to ad- granting of regulatory authority to the chair not entertain a motion to adjourn or dress health care for the American peo- Federal Energy Regulatory Commis- recess for the August recess prior to a vote ple. This could even preclude further sion. on or in relation to the majority leader’s bill and the minority leader’s amendment, and consideration of tobacco legislation, or TVA has had remarkably stable rates following those votes, it be in order for the proposals to extend health insurance to over the last decade, with only one sig- majority leader, to return the legislation to uninsured Americans between the ages nificant rate increase during this time the calendar. of 55 and 64, or improvements in Medi- period. I agreed that TVA has not been Finally, I ask unanimous consent that it care package for senior citizens, or ap- run perfectly through the years. How- not be in order to offer any legislation, mo- propriations for the National Institutes ever, to consider a substantial regu- tion or amendment relative to Health Care of Health and other health programs, prior to the initiation of this agreement, and latory overhaul for this agency at a following the execution of the agreement, it or legislation on the privacy of medical time when comprehensive electric in- not be in order to offer any legislation, mo- records—the list goes on and on. dustry deregulation is right around the tion or amendment relative to Health Care Many of us believe that as we move corner appears to me to be premature for the remainder of the 105th Congress. on into the millennium, it is going to and unwise. Legislation to impose addi- Mr. KENNEDY. So you can’t offer be the millennium of the life sciences tional regulatory controls at a time anything to do with the health care of with extraordinary scientific break- when the Congress is beginning to seri- the American people prior to this, or throughs. And the Republican leader ously consider significantly less regu- after this, or after the Republican lead- wants to silence us from having some lation for the rest of the industry er puts this proposal back on the cal- opportunity to debate that priority? seems contradictory to me. endar to shelve it. In other words, the Mr. President, it prohibits consider- In addition, I have concerns about Republican leadership says to the Sen- ation of any legislation dealing with the impact of such a proposal on the ate of the United States: You can’t the problems of the privacy of our med- coal industry in my state. I would deal with anything affecting the health ical records, and the dangers that exist strongly oppose efforts to impose a new care of the American people for the in terms of the proliferation of medical rest of this Congress. records. There are enormously impor- federal regulatory layer that may limit Come on, Mr. President. Come on, tant issues relating to the privacy of the flexibility of TVA to purchase Ken- Mr. President. This is just the day medical records that Republicans and tucky coal. TVA buys over 26 million after the Republican leadership tried to Democrats have tried to address. But tons of Kentucky coal per year, which sink the tobacco bill. Now they are out we are foreclosed from any opportunity adds $600 million to the economy of my there trying to deny us the opportunity to consider that under this proposal. State. TVA is responsible for more to debate one of the most important Mr. President, it often takes, as we than 20 percent of all coal purchases in health care bills that is before the all know, many votes to pass legisla- Kentucky. American people. tion important to American families. I have heard from many Kentuckians Mr. President, it is just unbelievable Rarely can we do so on the first at- who are concerned about this new regu- to me to think that the majority lead- tempt. These arbitrary, unfair restric- latory proposal. I wish to place my col- er’s proposal was going to be consid- tions serve only to strengthen the leagues on notice that I will strongly ered in good faith by our Democratic power of the special interests. We have oppose any such regulatory scheme, leader, or by any Member—not just heard where those special interests are. and will oppose other overhaul efforts leadership—by any Member. We are all We understand what they are doing at outside of the context of deregulation equals in this body. the present time—raising millions of legislation. It makes no sense to con- Those who are interested in health dollars, and going on with these distor- sider two major regulatory changes in care ought to be concerned when a pro- tions and misrepresentations. such a short period of time. posal is put forward to muzzle the U.S. The networks were hardly quiet after Senate on health care. What does the the tobacco industry was able to dis- f Republican leadership fear? What do rupt the kind of successful conclusion they fear about a full and open debate of legislation here in the U.S. Senate UTAH JAZZ—WESTERN on the Patients’ Bill of Rights? What that would protect our children. The CONFERENCE NBA CHAMPS do they fear in a debate about trying to airwaves are polluted again with dis- give an opportunity for the Senate to tortions and millions of dollars in try- Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise express itself to permit our uninsured ing to do a similar job on the Patients’ today to congratulate my home team, citizens between the ages of 55 and 64 Bill of Rights. They are not going to the Utah Jazz, on their remarkable to be able to buy into the Medicare sys- succeed in either one, Mr. President. season and thrilling playoff run. For tem? What do they fear about having It is said that you can fool some of the second straight year, the Jazz won an open and full debate on that issue, if the people all of the time, all of the the NBA’s Western Conference in im- the individuals are going to pay full people some of the time, but not all of pressive fashion and lost a well-fought premiums? What do they have to fear the people all of the time. series to the Chicago Bulls by the slim- about the possibility of requiring that This unanimous consent request isn’t mest of margins. companies of 50 or more employees going to fool any of the people any of As one of the team’s most faithful have some requirement to provide the time. The American people want fans, I share the heartache of the play- health care for their employees? Can’t patient protections. They deserve them ers and coaches, who came so close to we have a debate on that issue? Can’t and know parliamentary maneuvers. reaching their goal only to fall one we have a rollcall on that issue? No public relations campaign is going point short of a seventh game. How- Some will agree. Some will differ. to allow the Republican leadership to ever, I am confident that Jazz fans ev- Let the American people make a judg- avoid responsibility if this Congress erywhere share my feelings of pride in ment about how their representatives does not pass strong HMO reform legis- the season that these gutsy, tenacious stand. No, no, not if the majority lead- lation this year. players gave us to enjoy. er, on behalf of the Republicans, have f their way. To those players who believe that This proposal says ‘‘not be in order to REGULATING THE TENNESSEE professional sports have become just offer any legislation, motion, or VALLEY AUTHORITY another business with big salaries and amendment relative to health care Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I rise to product licenses, I will simply say that prior to the initiation of the agree- comment on the concerns I have about the Utah Jazz personify everything ment,’’ which is sometime just before recent proposals to dramatically that is good about the game of basket- the August recess, for the next several change the regulatory structure of the ball. The Jazz believe in teamwork, weeks, and for the rest of this session Tennessee Valley Authority. Recently, pure fundamentals, courage, and deter- following completion of this proposed legislation was introduced to make mination. agreement. If we were to proceed with dramatic changes in the regulatory Basketball fans throughout the coun- it, we would be absolutely curtailed structure of TVA, starting with the try have become enamored with the VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:18 Oct 31, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\1998SENATE\S19JN8.REC S19JN8 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY June 19, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6697 Jazz and their old-fashioned work NBA basketball team. He enabled the lated smoking area in the Senate Wing of the ethic. Often facing younger and more Jazz to stay in Salt Lake City. He has Capitol and each of the Senate Office Build- athletic teams, the Jazz have relied on displayed great leadership and commit- ings, as designated by the Architect of the their trademark discipline and team- ment to the team and the community Capitol with the approval of the Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Administration. work to overwhelm their opponents.