Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Jayapal for participating in the Special Order. What does climate change have to do with poverty? Well, today we face accelerating extreme weather events, such as intensifying hurricanes that displaced and impoverished hundreds of thousands of citizens in Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, New Jersey. Here is another way that climate change affects people in poverty: through healthcare events that take them out of the workforce. Here is the testimony from Liz Betty-Owens from Vermont. She writes: I am 26, a home care provider and a bartender. Just over a year ago, I was diagnosed with Lyme disease and began a lifelong battle with not only this crippling disease but also the healthcare industry and my struggle to access the healthcare I need. At 25, I was incredibly ill, attempting to continue my work as a healthcare provider and making all of my healthcare decisions not based on a doctor's recommendation, but based on what my health insurance at the time would cover and what I could afford with my meager out-of-pocket expenses. I realized that BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont had more power over my health and wellbeing than me or my doctor. I accumulated several thousand dollars of debt, and then, in April, I was booted off my mom's insurance plan because I turned 26. I began the 3-month process of registering for my State's Medicare.…”