Political Quotes

“In the State of Connecticut last weekend, we had an opportunity to see the health care crisis up close. Mission of Mercy, a national organization that holds free dental clinics, was in Middletown, Connecticut, and Connecticut--the wealthiest per capita income State in America--shattered the Mission of Mercy record, serving 2,045 working adults sleeping in their cars, lining up two nights before to get access to dental care. We're not talking about teeth whitening or teeth cleaning; we're talking about people walking in with abcesses that were so pronounced that it threatened the stability of their jaws, extractions, major surgery. This is the state of health care in America today. There is one group, though, that doesn't have to sleep in their car to get health care: Members of Congress, who participate in a Federal purchasing exchange subsidized by the American taxpayer. Madam Speaker, how do they demonize a plan which they benefit from every single day courtesy of the American taxpayer? I don't know how they do that. This week they have an opportunity to help those people who were lined up in their cars over the weekend to get the same access to care that those people who work every day pay with their taxes. Vote for health care reform.”