July 23, 2002

Overall, I am not in favor of this trade bill. It will inflict severe damage on American industry and American workers. It will cost us jobs, and that means hardship for thousands of American families.

One of the most critical parts of this conference, therefore, will be making sure we provide sufficient assistance to workers and their families affected by this ill-conceived bill to help them weather the storm and get back on their feet.

Providing health insurance coverage is a key component of worker assistance. Both the House and Senate bills include provisions for health care, but there are important differences between them. We must resolve those differences and address three points.

First, although I disagree with the tax credit model, we need to insure families get an adequate subsidy -- for an adequate length of time -- so that purchasing health insurance is a real option and families aren’t left without health care while they are struggling to get back into the workforce.

Second, we need to make sure that all workers can secure coverage that provides meaningful benefits for their families. Losing a job is enough of a burden to bear. These families shouldn’t also be forced to bear the burden of navigating pre-existing condition exclusions, benefit caps and exclusions, or exorbitant premiums in the individual insurance market or a high-risk pool. We need to ensure access to a stable group market. Otherwise some families either won’t be able to access the benefits they need or will have to pay dearly to get them. Neither is a desirable outcome.

Third, we need to ensure that the assistance is where it’s needed when it’s needed. We don’t have any way of knowing ultimately how many workers will be affected by this legislation, where those workers will live, or when the workers will be displaced. A block grant for health care and other needs won’t adequately address the needs of displaced workers; once the money runs out, workers who need help would be out of luck.

If the Trade Act is to move forward, we must make certain it has the strongest possible protections for the working families who are affected by the legislation. Hard-working Americans and their families must not be forgotten in this push for free trade.

 - 30 -