Jon L. Christensen: “Approximately 42 million people in this country are without health insurance. Those with no coverage are more likely to…”

“Approximately 42 million people in this country are without health insurance. Those with no coverage are more likely to be young adults, poor, Hispanic, African American, rural or small business employees. As chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, but even more so as a family physician who practiced for 21 years before coming to Congress, I know what not having insurance coverage does to families and individuals. They delay or avoid care, most likely seeking care through emergency rooms which cannot provide for need continuity or safety net services which are often underfunded, understaffed, and underequipped. Not being insured is the seventh leading cause of death in this country, resulting in 83,000 deaths annually. Although tonight we are focusing on insurance coverage, it is important to recognize that providing access to health care is more than providing insurance, but also insuring an adequate infrastructure for the uninsured or the newly insured to receive proper health care. Madam Speaker, we must all support educating the public on all of the health care coverage options available, and make an extra effort to link those, but education is only half the battle. We as lawmakers must continue to work on passing legislation that will leave no individual without access to quality health care.”