On the recordMarch 21, 2010
I rise in strong support of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of enacting historic health care reform. Over the past fifteen months, I have held countless meetings with community organizations, small business owners, senior citizens, doctors, nurses, and patients, joined public forums and community meetings, and held telephone town halls. It is clear to me the status quo is unsustainable. Without action, individuals would continue to be denied coverage and care, more families would go into bankruptcy due to the costs of care, and businesses would continue to struggle to cover their employees. Some benefits will be evident almost immediately after this bill is signed. The most egregious practices of insurance companies, like denying coverage for children due to pre-existing conditions and dropping coverage when patients become sick, will be illegal. Small businesses will gain tax credits to provide affordable insurance to their employees. Senior citizens will benefit from immediate steps to close the Medicare prescription drug "donut hole." I have heard hundreds of personal stories.
