The Pepper Commission Report and the response

The recommendations of the "Pepper Commission" [the Bipartisan Commission on Comprehensive Health Care] on health care policy reform (see box on page 20) would cost an estimated $66 billion to implement. As a result, many in Congress already have declared the Pepper report to be politically nonviable. Nevertheless, Commission Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV intends to pursue legislative activity on the report. Recently, Rockefeller said that the Commission's majority recommendations likely will be offered in Congress as one large bill--with the option to break out some of its features for individual consideration. For example, Rockefeller said he will try this year to enact the Commission's recommendations to improve health care coverage for pregnant women and children--as well as suggestions for reform in the health insurance industry. The West Virginia senator said he believes these two proposals will cost about $3.5 billion in new federal funds. The basics of the plan, and the political obstacles facing its enactment, were discussed by several members of the Pepper Commission during the press conference at which the recommendations were unveiled. FAHS Review covered that press conference, and below we reprint excerpts from a tape transcription of the remarks of several Commission members.