| I am pleased that the Administration has recognized the commitment
by including funding for the UMWA Combined Benefits Fund in the
Presidents budget, said Representative Robert Wise. For the thousands
of coal mining families in West Virginia who have worked hard all their
lives, its important that this commitment be kept. I will continue to
work with the Administration to make sure that these health benefits are
preserved. |
| In 1991, Governor Florio signed an executive order to halt
discrimination on the basis of ual orientation by the State of
New Jersey in employment and the provision of benefits. In 1992
the legislature passed and the governor signed into law a bill
that bared discrimination on the basis of ual orientation in
employment throughout the state. Yet the New Jersey Division of
Pensions, which administers state health benefits, has refused to
provide to and ian state employees the same health
benefits provided to hetexual employees. |
| Having the Administrations support for insuring that retired coal
miners continue to receive health care coverage will be a very important
element in our chance to successfully legislative this matter in the
Congress, said Representative Nick J. Rahall. Certainly, there should
be no doubt that the men and women who produced the coal that fueled
this nation to greatness deserve a stable and long term health care
system. |
| The United States health care system is based on family insurance
through the place of employment. The reforms proposed by the
Clinton Administration do not change this pattern. ian and
couples and families have the same health needs as all other
citizens. It is gross discrimination on the part of the
university and the State of New Jersey to deny health insurance
and health coverage to employees merely because they are or
ian. |
| Senator John D. Rockefeller, who authored the 1992 Coal Act, said,
More than a half century ago, coal miners were promised lifetime health
benefits by the companies they worked for and by the federal government
-- Vice President Gore has fought to ensure that this promise is kept.
After we had conversations on this matter, the Vice President insisted
on including a substantial amount of funds in the budget to guarantee
the security of retired miners health benefits for more than a decade.
This budget provision demonstrates the Administrations rock solid
commitment to protecting retired miners health benefits. Congress must
now do the same. I will not rest until miners benefits are once again
secure. |
