On the recordJanuary 19, 2011
Under no circumstances would I vote to repeal the most effective, most meaningful, most sensitive health legislation that has been passed in this country since the Medicare-Medicaid provisions of the 1960s. Under no circumstances would I vote to repeal legislation that would provide the 107,000 individuals in my congressional district who have preexisting conditions. Would I vote to repeal health insurance for more than 32 million Americans who otherwise would have no coverage? No way. Vote this legislation down. Let's support the American people, keep them with health care. The Seventh Congressional District of Illinois includes some of the most medically underserved communities in America. Census data revealed that 24 percent of families and 44 percent of children under 18 live below the poverty line. As a result, many of these individuals are susceptible to an anomaly of diseases and poor health. In fact, some communities on Chicago's west side experience infant mortality rates comparable with third-world countries. By repealing Public Law 111-148, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will take away support for community health centers, which provide critical resources for millions of Americans in every state and territory.
