Phil Gingrey: “I rise tonight to raise awareness of a problem that is plaguing our health care system, and that is the number of…”

“I rise tonight to raise awareness of a problem that is plaguing our health care system, and that is the number of uninsured Americans. It has been estimated that more than 45 million lack health insurance. However, it is important for understand for us to understand better who the individuals are that make up that 45 million. A census taken in 2003 reveals that almost one-third of the uninsured, 15 million, live in households with annual incomes above $50,000. 7.6 million of these individuals live in households with incomes of more than $75,000. Moreover, Mr. Speaker, 18 million of the uninsured are between the ages of 18 and 34. Obviously, many of these are uninsured as a matter of choice. They choose not to have coverage, because health insurance in this country is prohibitively expensive and it is not a purchase they wish to make, either because they are young and healthy or because they are willing to roll the dice and take their chances, or, if their employer cannot afford to offer insurance, the regulations on the individual insurance market make purchasing a policy on their own prohibitively expensive. Fortunately, Mr. Speaker, the Republican leadership of this House has shown the American people how health care can be made more affordable in this country. There are three fundamental avenues that take significant steps toward allowing all Americans to be able to afford health insurance. The first is Association Health Plans, or AHPs.…”