Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, this trade bill before us I would like to note includes two important provisions from H.R. 4190 and H.R. 4191, legislation I introduced last year, which suspends duties on the importation of pharmaceuticals which inhibit cancer and the spread of HIV and AIDS. This is compassionate legislation, intended to help reduce the cost of treating AIDS and cancer for thousands of American families. Every year thousands of American men, women and children fall victim to these deadly diseases. 1997, the last year for which we have national statistics, almost 17,000 new cases of HIV and AIDS were added to the epidemic, making the total number of victims almost 600,000 nationwide. The average cost of treating someone with HIV or AIDS is approximately $17,500 and lifetime costs of almost $100,000. Additionally, this cost suspends the duties on important cancer inhibitors. We have made great strides in identifying new carcinogens and reducing the number of new cancer victims. However, well over four million new cases are identified every year at an astronomical emotional as well as financial cost to our families as well as our Nation.”