Jon L. Christensen: “I rise today for 11 million reasons--the 7 million children whose insurance will continue and the more than 4 million…”

“I rise today for 11 million reasons--the 7 million children whose insurance will continue and the more than 4 million other children who will be insured for the first time--many of whom are children of color--with the passage of H.R. 2. I must commend Chairmen Pallone, Waxman and Dingell--whose steadfast efforts to expand health coverage to millions of American Children and whose unwillingness to accept mediocrity is why we are here today. H.R. 2 will not only make a significant down payment on President elect Obama's and our promise to insure all of our country's children, it rightfully refuses to leave out children and pregnant women who have been legally admitted into our country. This bill also includes important expansions to the program for screening and prevention as well as dental and mental health care, addressing child health in a more holistic way. Because more than half of all uninsured children are racial and ethnic minorities, this bill will help to eliminate health disparities in this most vulnerable group and improve the outlook for their health later in adulthood.”