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Senator Byrd

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News organizations seeking more information should contact Senator Byrd's Communications Office at (202) 224-3904.

May 11, 2006

Breaking Down Barriers to Affordable Health Care

With more than 275,000 West Virginians without health insurance, and some 45 million Americans uninsured, Senator Byrd is working to find new, innovative ways to make medical care more accessible for all Americans.

Today the Senate debates S. 1955, the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordablity Act. Health care is a very complicated subject. The issue of health care involves life or death decisions for millions upon millions of Americans who lack even the basic access to affordable health care.

The reality is that health care costs are skyrocketing, and the number of individuals with access to medical insurance is diminishing. That is unacceptable. The harsh reality is that 45 million Americans have no health care coverage, including 275,000 West Virginians. That is 275,000 West Virginians who cannot take even the most basic steps to ensure that their health and their lives are not in jeopardy. That is 275,000 West Virginians who may be unaware that an illness or disease is preparing to spread unabated throughout their bodies. Today, technology enables doctors to discover and treat diseases faster than ever before, and in many cases cure these diseases before their effects are irreversible. It is unacceptable that more and more Americans cannot take advantage of new technological tools to discover problems early. It is past time to do something for these citizens.

The present health care crisis hits small businesses especially hard. Small businesses often pay the highest rates for health care benefits, because they lack the power to negotiate with big insurance companies. One innovative solution is for small businesses to be able to join together to ensure that their employees have access to affordable health care, which is why Senator Snowe and I have introduced the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005. The purpose of our bill is to enable small businesses in West Virginia, and around the country such as corner grocery stores, restaurants, and hardware stores, to afford health care coverage for their workers. Hard-working Americans employed by these businesses deserve affordable health care. A waitress working the night-shift to provide for her child is every bit as deserving of health care benefits as the CEO of the largest corporation. A clerk in a family store should not be priced out of basic health care coverage simply because he works for a small business. There are 275,000 stories like this in West Virginia, and the Federal government should be taking actions to help them.

While I agree in part with the goals of the bill before us, there are important differences between the bill offered by Senators Snowe and Byrd and the Enzi bill. The Snowe-Byrd bill, unlike the bill proposed by Senator Enzi, does not preempt state law by erasing all preventative health tests and treatments. These mandates are the core medical services which are already part of many existing health plans.

The amendment I am co-sponsoring with the Senator from Maine proposes to simply put back some of the safeguards that are eliminated by the Enzi bill. Our amendment provides small business workers with guaranteed access to the most important health care screening and services. It is imperative to include procedures guaranteed to catch diseases before the damage can be done. Our amendment guarantees patient access to procedures such as mammography screenings, and screenings for prostate and cervical cancers. It is necessary in my state of West Virginia to make sure that diabetics have access to the supplies they need to regulate their blood sugar levels, and to allow for maternity stays to assure the well-being of both mother and child after childbirth. Basic requirements such as these are essential keys to the health of all Americans, including those who work for small businesses, and that is why Senator Snowe and I want to offer this amendment. Why prohibit such life saving tests? Why offer half a loaf to small business employees?

I never cease to be amazed by the medical advancements which have occurred during my lifetime, penicillin, modern x-ray machines, laser surgery, CAT scans and PET scans. Each day, doctors and researchers make critical discoveries and develop new technologies that help people to enjoy longer and healthier lives. Still, too many of our people are unable to take advantage of such advancements. They cannot afford to do so because they lack insurance. We have a moral obligation to find ways to help families gain access to life-saving medical care. Millions without health care insurance go through life hoping and praying that they do not get sick or face a catastrophic medical complication. Living a life free from worries about health care coverage should not be a privilege, but a guarantee.

While Senator Snowe’s and my amendment could vastly improve vital coverage currently left out of the Enzi proposal, unfortunately, Mr. President, it looks as though the Senate will not have the opportunity to vote on the amendment. Our bipartisan amendment offered to better the bill before us will never be allowed a vote in this chamber. This is not the way the Senate should conduct its business. Mr. President, purposefully blocking and disregarding amendments on an issue as vital as affordable health care does a disservice to our people and to this institution. The Snowe-Byrd amendment would make an important improvement to the bill before us. Why employ a legislative maneuver that blocks attempts to improve health care options for small businesses and their employees?

Instead of blocking important amendments the Senate should get to work on improving health care for the 45 million Americans, including 275,000 West Virginians, without health insurance.

The lack of affordable health care in this country has reached crisis proportions. Why is the Senate cutting off debate? We should be working together in this Senate to find ways to help our people afford health care insurance. We should be discussing the May 15th enrollment deadline in the new Medicare Part D program. Why can we not have a vote on extending this deadline? Why, after hearing from millions of the nation’s seniors and their worries about the deadline, are we not even talking about their concerns? My office has received hundreds of calls from concerned seniors. This is a pressing issue that requires our attention, yet due to the actions of the leadership, the Senate is being held hostage to a deadline. Our senior citizens whose sweat and blood helped to make our nation great are now being told that time is up for them. They must choose a health plan immediately or face financial penalties.

Because of the complexity of the new Medicare Part D program, it is only right that our senior citizens be given time to understand their options, and make informed decisions when selecting drug coverage. But instead our elderly are being told to hurry up or face penalties. That is just not good enough for the greatest country on earth. Where is the compassion that our country is so known for? What is so almighty sacred about Monday, May 15?

It is unbelievable that important improvements to the Enzi bill will probably never receive a vote. It is a disservice to the small business owners and employees who deserve relief from the health care crunch. It is ridiculous that the Senate will not be permitted to consider pressing health issues for our senior citizens. I urge Senators to reject this process by which we are being gagged and denied a vote on these critical health care issues.

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