Steve Kagen: “this is a great day for our Nation's children. This is a great day for our seniors and their doctors. For, today, we…”

“this is a great day for our Nation's children. This is a great day for our seniors and their doctors. For, today, we will begin the necessary process of guaranteeing access to affordable care for the people who need it most, our children and elders. And this is a great day for the House of Representatives as well, for we are beginning to solve our Nation's most important domestic crisis, access to affordable health care for every citizen. The CHAMP Act begins to allow for the practice of medicine that really believes in prevention. We will finally provide dental and mental coverage for our kids. With this bill, we are being fiscally responsible and socially progressive, just like America; and I am proud to serve in a Congress that finally pays for its bills. Today, we are shifting money away from overpaid insurance companies to benefit children and seniors. We are bringing down costs for the 80 percent of all Medicare patients who are now paying too much for their premiums. In my home State of Wisconsin, an additional 81,000 children will acquire coverage. I was honored to work with the committee chairmen, Chairman Rangel and Chairman Dingell, to ensure that there will be an express lane to enroll kids who are already in similar programs and eliminate the late fee for those who signed up late who are in need. People in America can see, the Democratic majority will leave 'No Patient Left Behind.'”