Political Quotes

On the recordMarch 25, 2010
You know, I hear from the other side about the American Dream, but I want to say, the American Dream doesn't mean that the government shouldn't get involved to end discrimination. We have a long history in this country of the government getting involved to end discrimination. And that's a big part of this health care reform, because right now, people who have preexisting conditions cannot get health insurance, or, if they can, they have to pay prohibitive costs which are not acceptable and make it impossible for them to get health insurance. What we're doing in this health care reform bill is ending discrimination, so that if you have a preexisting condition, if you've had cancer, you can still get health insurance. Immediately after this bill becomes law--and it actually has become law; the President signed it--children cannot be excluded from policies because of preexisting conditions. And gradually that will occur for every American, that they cannot be discriminated against. People are discriminated against now. Women are charged more than men. That's not right. That's not part of the American Dream. We are ending discrimination with this legislation, and I was so proud to see the President sign it on Tuesday.
Said by
Frank Pallone
Democratic · New Jersey

Editor's note · Context

Pallone discusses the importance of government involvement in ending discrimination in health care.

Share

More from Frank Pallone

Jun 12, 2026

I will continue to call for accountability and carry out oversight of this facility.

pallone.house.gov
May 30, 2026

As Members of the New Jersey delegation, we will continue to hold the Trump Administration accountable for their unlawful cruelty and we won’t rest until Delaney Hall is closed for good.

pallone.house.gov
Jun 6, 2026

I visited the men and women suffering in ICE detention at Delaney Hall earlier this year, and I was shocked by the conditions they told me they had to endure. I am disgusted that these conditions only continue to worsen for detainees.

pallone.house.gov
Jun 12, 2026

This summer we’re expecting visitors from around the world to visit our great state, but we are deeply concerned that Amtrak’s recent service disruptions in the weeks leading to the World Cup threaten to create another Summer of Hell for…

pallone.house.gov

Other voices in this conversation