Jim Langevin: “I rise to acknowledge Cover the Uninsured Week. Many of us have heard from our constituents this week, just as we have…”

“I rise to acknowledge Cover the Uninsured Week. Many of us have heard from our constituents this week, just as we have in the weeks, months, and years prior, asking that we make health insurance coverage a top priority of the 109th Congress. America's families are living in fear that someone they love might develop a health problem that they cannot afford. We must begin a meaningful dialogue about this problem that will continue until every American has access to quality, affordable health insurance. This national disgrace has reached crisis proportions. Forty-five million Americans, more than 8 million of whom are children and more than 80 percent of whom live in working families, are one ambulance trip away from financial devastation. I was pleased to join the gentlewoman from California (Leader Pelosi) and other Democrats in cosponsoring three bills introduced this week as part of the Democrats' plan to build on programs that already work. Together, the Family Care Act, the Medicare Early Access Act, and the Small Business Health Insurance Promotion Act would cover over half of all uninsured Americans. I have also been proud to be a part of other initiatives, both nationally and in my home State of Rhode Island, to expand existing health insurance programs for retirees, children with disabilities, and adults attempting to return to the workforce.…”