On the recordMarch 18, 2010
I think it is so important for us to move forward and not be derailed in our efforts to reform what is important policy in this country. Health care, obviously, is something that needs to be provided in terms of insurance to our working families out there. We know the impact of delay and the impact of no reforms. Status quo simply does not cut it. We cannot afford to allow our families to continue with such gross injustice. Obviously, the increase projected, $1,800 per year for family plans, is a train wreck waiting to happen. Today the average of some $13,000 for family plans would grow in the next decade to some $31,000. Which small business out there could afford to pay that or even a fraction of that for its employees? We know that what we're trying to maintain here is an employee-based health care insurance system. Well, the employer-based system needs some sort of relief. We need to know that there are assurances for containing those costs, for making certain that into the future we'll have a safety net for our working families and for our business community. In the measure we're advancing there is assistance for small businesses. It's providing them the opportunity to make this sharing affordable. We know that the benefits that come with reducing the deficit with our bill, having been scored by CBO, is looking at $130 billion for the first 10 years and some $1.2 trillion into the next 10 years. This is progress. This is a step in the right direction.
