On the recordMarch 17, 2010
Congress is on the brink of passing comprehensive health care reform to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and high quality care, health care that protects consumers and not just insurance companies. We need reform to rein in these companies and to hold them accountable for discriminatory and inhumane practices, policies like gender rating that force women to pay higher premiums than men just because we are women, and denials for preexisting conditions that can even include a history of domestic violence. We need reform to change the practice of insurance companies denying children with preexisting conditions or dropping someone's coverage if that person falls ill. We can't put it off. We can't wait. If we do nothing, in 30 years, one out of every $3 will be spent on health care. If we fail, families will see spending on premiums and out-of-pocket costs jump 34 percent in 5 years and 79 percent in 10. The American people not only want reform, they need reform. They are asking for reform. We made a promise to the American people to pass health care reform. It's time to keep our promise. It's time to get this done, and it's time to pass health care reform.
