Norvell Emerson: “it is with pleasure that I speak in support of this essential Children's Health Act of 2000. There are many of us who…”

“it is with pleasure that I speak in support of this essential Children's Health Act of 2000. There are many of us who have worked very hard to get to this day, and I applaud the Commerce Committee and Mr. Bilirakis and Mr. Brown for getting a consensus on this bill so it could come to the floor. I represent 26 rural counties in Southern Missouri. These counties are home to some of the most poverty stricken communities in the State. Most of them lack even basic health care services. And many lack decent roads and reliable phone service. Many people in these communities find themselves isolated from their extended family, their friends and their neighbors. Many young mothers-to-be in my rural district are isolated from family and friends--and they live miles away from nurses and doctors. This isolation often prevents them from getting prenatal care and adds to the fears and uncertainties that come along with being a new or expectant mother. Many American women fall through the cracks of our health system. Women throughout our nation face great challenges in securing healthy pregnancies and healthy children. Consider the following: At the turn of this century more American women died in childbirth than from any other cause except for tuberculosis. At the close of this century, after all of the medical advances made in this country, it's easy to assume that today pregnancy and childbirth are safer for American women and their babies. But this is a false assumption.”