Lois Capps: “I express my sincere opposition to this year's budget because it is immoral, especially to women. Our health care system…”

“I express my sincere opposition to this year's budget because it is immoral, especially to women. Our health care system is in bad shape. We all know that women use health care more than men and are more likely to need it. Under President Bush, the number of uninsured has risen. Yet what does this budget propose? Health savings accounts, which would only benefit the wealthiest and healthiest, those who could already afford health coverage. It cuts or levels funds for all but one of the Institutes of National Health, and at a time when we are making important advances in medical research, when we are just beginning to learn the ways that women are affected differently than men by certain diseases. And it cuts funding for nutritional programs that are designed to keep women and their families healthier. We have an obligation to ensure that everyone can have access to health care services. I urge my colleagues to reject this irresponsible and immoral budget, and instead, to pass a budget that lives up to our commitment to American women and their families. ____________________”