Jon L. Christensen: “I join them and my colleagues in strong opposition to the Republican budget. On November 6 of last year, we introduced…”

“I join them and my colleagues in strong opposition to the Republican budget. On November 6 of last year, we introduced the Health Care Equality and Accountability Act of 2003 with the Democratic leadership in this House and the Senate. Today I am here to assure my colleagues that that was not just a message bill. The CBC budget seeks to meet the needs of people of color in this country, the health care needs, as well as other needs, who have been left behind for so long. Mr. Chairman, giving taxes breaks to the wealthy cannot be a priority of this country when our people are sick, disabled, and dying and do not have access to healing and lifesaving care. So our budget reauthorizes funds to the Office of Minority Health, the Indian Health Service, Health Professions and other programs that reach out to and bring wellness to our communities. It supports our teaching and safety net hospitals and other facilities, and fully funds Medicaid. This is not increasing taxes; this is stopping corporate giveaways, giveaways to the wealthy, and investing in the strength of this country: our people. Dr. Martin Luther King said, "Of all forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane." We agree.”