Tim Walz: “Last week I, too, had a chance to be out in my local district. I was on Main Street in St. Peter, Minnesota. We had…”

“Last week I, too, had a chance to be out in my local district. I was on Main Street in St. Peter, Minnesota. We had great conversations about how small businesses can continue to create and revitalize our economy. But do you know what they talked about most? Health care. They shared stories about double-digit increases in premiums. They shared stories about a difficult time hiring new employees because of the cost of health insurance. But one story in particular stuck with me. I walked into Julee's Jewelry Store in St. Peter, Minnesota. Julee is a woman who has poured her life into making her business work, but she also shared a story with me. Her son Trevor was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. So as she and Trevor fight for his life, they are also fighting their insurance company to pay for the chemotherapy that their doctor ordered. She also told me she fears her son will never be able to change jobs because of a preexisting condition. Our current health system is limiting our ability to innovate and grow our economy. As you know, Mr. Speaker, I represent the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. I am proud to do so because of the high quality, low cost care that they provide. I would like to leave you with a quote last week from the Mayo Clinic: "Reforming health care in America is absolutely essential. The status quo is not sustainable."”