Carol Shea-Porter: “Tonight I vote for the middle class. I have heard the desperation of parents whose kids were kicked off their plan…”

“Tonight I vote for the middle class. I have heard the desperation of parents whose kids were kicked off their plan before they even had a job. This bill allows 30 percent of young Americans currently without coverage to stay on their parents' plans until age 26. I have listened as New Hampshire small business owners told me they were embarrassed they could no longer insure faithful employees. This bill is their remedy. I heard those who lost homes because they got sick or hurt, lost their insurance, and then could not pay medical bills. I listened as hospitals discussed the uninsured's costs to New Hampshire taxpayers. Here is the cure. For the late Donald Long of Raymond, who told me he paid $500 for prescriptions every 3 months because of the doughnut hole, thank you. I heard you and all seniors. I heard Sandra Gagnon of Manchester, who has a chronically ill daughter. Now, no more preexisting exclusions. For the families in New Hampshire and across America, I vote ``yes'' for you.”