July 15, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks E1301 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS TRIBUTE TO ROMANIAN PRESI- mania takes a leadership role in the Partner- eral prominent publications have identified DENT EMIL CONSTANTINESCU ship for Peace collaboration. He helped lead health care as the defining issue of the 1990s. the Romanians in giving U.S. President Bill I agree. In meeting after meeting in southern Clinton in 1997 his biggest reception any- Indiana I have noticed how persistently the HON. MIKE PARKER where up to that time. And the same Roma- question of health care comes forward in dis- OF MISSISSIPPI nians have indicated the highest level of sup- cussions. It is the issue that bubbles and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES port for NATO and partnership with America seethes beneath the surface at all times sim- of any of the peoples of Eastern Europe; Wednesday, July 15, 1998 Met with regional and other world leaders ply because it is the most personal and real to demonstrate his determination to make issue that touches the hopes and fears of Mr. PARKER. Mr. Speaker, for the RECORD every American. I would like to submit a statement of tribute by Romania a peaceful island of stability in the volatile region. His outreach to the Hungar- POPULAR VIEWS ON HEALTH CARE my former House colleague David Funderburk ian minority and to neighboring Hungary as to Romania's President who is visiting Wash- well as to neighboring Ukraine have been I find Hoosiers overwhelmingly want ev- ington this week. models of cooperation in the region; eryone to have access to health care services Helped guide Romania through its most A TRIBUTE TO ROMANIAN PRESIDENT EMIL but they split on how to pay for that access. difficult economic crisis in the post-com- CONSTANTINESCU ON THE OCCASION OF HIS Hoosiers are usually skeptical of government munist period by calmly accentuating the VISIT TO WASHINGTON IN JULY 1998 action but I do not find them objecting to a positive, and focusing on the big picture of prominent role for government to play in (By David Funderburk) Romania's goals of Western partnership and health care. They do not want a comprehen- Emil Constantinescu has been described as peace. His leadership has helped produce po- sive plan like the one President Clinton pro- Romania's ``Vaclav Havel.'' There are many litical stability and project optimism in the reasons why Constantinescu should be face of a not-always-supportive coalition posed in 1994, but they do want to see the classed together with Vaclav Havel the government. government assuring access to affordable Czech dissident hero of the communist era. There is no doubt that Romania has some health care, vigorously policing the provid- Admittedly as a friend of Constantinescu I distance to travel before it's on a par with ers of health care such as insurance compa- am not a completely unbiased observer. And the West in terms of economic reform and nies, demanding more generous coverage after spending two years living in Romania even political stability. More needs to be from employers, and ensuring that their ex- during the 1970's and four years during the done to make the investment climate attrac- isting benefits are not cut back. Futhermore, 1980's in Ceausescu's time, I never thought I tive to U.S. companies and to complete the they do not want to see any interference would see a democratic President of Roma- implementation of the economic reforms. with the doctor-patient relationship. nia. For a few years following the end of the But change has been comingÐgradually, steadily, inexorably. And most remarkably When it comes to the issue of managed Ceausescus I looked with skepticism on some care, most people recognize that managed of the transitional figures of the country. Romania has come a very long way since Ceausescu. Romania was left in about the care plans have helped to hold down costs Also I wondered how many of those new and provide preventive health care. But they voices who seemed to be jumping on the worst possible position to reform with a Sta- also worry that managed care can sometimes democratic reform and free market band- linist command economy, central planning interfere with the doctor-patient relation- wagon were for real. Emil Constantinescu and virtually no private sector. The steady hand of Constantinescu's lead- ship and impede access to medical treat- has proven that he is for real. ership has helped guide Romania as it goes Emil Constantinescu is the first truly ment. They want government to hold man- through the toughest transition in Eastern democratic President of Romania after 42 aged care plans accountable. The general Europe, without bloodshed, revolt or diver- view seems to be that Hoosiers will support years of harsh communism and 7 years of sion from the NATO-integration course. stagnation following the demise of Nicolae tougher government oversight of managed Constantinescu is a visionary leader who fo- care plans but they do not want the govern- and Elena Ceausescu. cuses on the big picture of Romania's place Constantinescu is enlightened, well edu- ment to come in and take over health care. in the world, and strives to help fulfill the cated, pro-American, and a man of integrity dreams of ordinary Romanians to be given MIXED SUCCESS with a historical sense of purpose for his peo- recognition, acceptance and respect by the ple and their future. West particularly by the U.S. Since we have In light of widespread support for changes The leading interwar political partyÐthe the benefit of such a leader in Bucharest, we in the health care system, I am struck by the National Peasant & Christian DemocratsÐ should move quickly during this visit to as- number of Hoosiers who say to me that they emerged from the ashes of communism under sist Constantinescu and Romania. are quite satisfied with their own health the leadership of Corneliu Coposu, a giant WashingtonÐfrom the White House to Cap- care. Their personal experiences have largely figure who had been imprisoned under itol Hill to the business community and been positive. They recognize the successes Ceausescu. Coposu, who was a national sym- mediaÐhas a special moment in history to of the American health care system. Vac- bol of integrity and sacrifice for freedom, do the right thing by this new Romania. cination rates are up, premature births are designated as the party's standard-bearer in Let's show our appreciation to President down, more women are getting mammo- both 1992 and 1996 the little known Geology Emil Constantinescu and Romania and show grams, and the move to managed care has professor and Rector of the University of Bu- our recognition for their historic longings, charest, Dr. Emil Constantinescu. During saved billions of dollars in health care spend- their geopolitical and strategical value to ing. They and their families are probably as the transition period in Romania under peace, and political stability in the region. Iliescu, Constantinescu gained political ex- Let's take advantage of this special oppor- healthy today as they ever were and for the perience in his role as a leader of the opposi- tunity and welcome the new democratic most part they have affordable health cov- tion. President Emil ConstantinescuÐ``Romania's erage. Romania's ``Havel'' Emil Constantinescu Havel''Ðto Congress, the White House and Nonetheless, underlying these successes is has in fact accomplished the following: America. It's something we will not regret. the fear that the system will not continue to Led Romania to its first real democratic f work for them and be there in times of crisis. election victory in 1996 and peaceful transi- Hoosiers really worry about how they would tion with a platform incorporating the core HEALTH CARE REFORM handle a major illness, and they tell me values of Western civilization. And again and again of acquaintances who were Constantinescu initiated the coalition HON. LEE H. HAMILTON simply wiped out financially by a major Democratic Convention program called the OF INDIANA medical problem. Many feel overwhelmed by ``Contract with Romania.'' IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Presided as a populist President living a the red tape and bureaucracy in today's spartan existence and working long hours in Wednesday, July 15, 1998 health care system. They are uncomfortable the midst of hardship for many workers in that power has shifted in the health care sys- Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to tem from the physicians to the insurance the country. He receives only a token salary insert my Washington Report for Wednesday, and drives a small inconspicuous car without companies and managed care plan adminis- July 15, 1998 into the CONGRESSIONAL the motorcade fanfare of his predecessors; trators. RECORD. Led an activist campaign to permanently CONGRESSIONAL OUTLOOK tie Romania to the West, NATO and the U.S. MANAGED CARE REFORM (whose support Romania needs for its NATO The most important political issue today, President Clinton made health care a cen- aspirations). He has helped ensure that ro- and for the past decade, is health care. Sev- tral theme of his first term in office when he · This ``bullet'' symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. E1302 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks July 15, 1998 put forward his sweeping health care pro- TRIBUTE TO LISA MENDOSA The Rotary had its beginnings in February posal which featured universal coverage and 1905, when Chicago attorney Paul P.