This is not a Democratic or Republican value. It is an American value.

I believe America is ready to tear down the last walls of discrimination in our workplace.

Qualified workers should not be turned away or have to fear losing their livelihood for reasons that have nothing to do with their capabilities, skills, or performance.

It's long past time to eliminate bigotry in the workplace and ensure equal opportunity for all Americans.

Thank you for your long history of support for civil rights.

So today I'm announcing my own investigation into the pricing practices of health insurance companies that sell policies to small businesses.

Our legislation will end the discriminatory insurance industry practice of jacking up premiums because an employee got sick or older or because the business hired a woman.

This time, we will not fail.

I'm very pleased that our legislation will increase competition by providing small businesses with a choice of a public insurance plan.

This will also reduce premiums, because insurance companies will no longer be allowed to investigate the health condition of employees--eliminating the wasteful cost of underwriting.

Health insurance companies should open their books and explain to the American people why they support a health insurance market for small businesses that is so dysfunctional, and so lacking in transparency.

Our legislation will create health insurance exchanges that pool small businesses together and increase competition.

We're fighting for you. And help is on the way.

Small businesses are woven into the fabric of the American dream: they reflect our pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit.

Our plan for affordable, quality health care will save small businesses tens of billions of dollars in spending on health insurance premiums each year, saving tens of thousands of jobs each year.

I know that Senator Harkin has been working very hard on preventative measures.

As is well known, our legislation will ban arbitrary limits on benefits and place limits on out-of-pocket expenses.

An estimated 3.6 million small businesses nationwide will qualify for a tax credit of up to 50 percent of premiums to make coverage more affordable.