Political Quotes

“Mr. President, my colleagues have spoken tonight eloquently about a number of consequences that would follow from the repeal of the Affordable Care Act: increasing drug costs for seniors, a devastating impact on rural hospitals, elimination of consumer protection in everybody's health insurance--not just those on the Affordable Care Act--and limitations on mental health coverage and substance abuse. All of those issues have been presented eloquently and passionately. I want to do something a little different. This isn't easy for me, but I want to tell my own story and why I feel so strongly about the issue of health insurance for all of our people. Forty-three years ago--I think it was just about this week--I was a young staff member here in the Senate. I was a junior staff member who was covered by health insurance provided by my employer, the U.S. Senate. I paid a share, and the Senate paid a share. The health insurance that I had, as part of it, had free preventive care--exactly like that required by the Affordable Care Act. The other thing the plan I chose had was a Wednesday night doctor's session. So because I had a free checkup and because it was on Wednesday night and I didn't have to miss any work, in late January or early February of 1974, I went in for a checkup--the first one I had had in 8 or 9 years. Everything looked fine. As I was putting my shirt back on, the doctor said: Well, you have a mole on your back, Angus, and I think you ought to keep an eye on it.…”