[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 22 (Thursday, March 3, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         THE HEALTH CARE CRISIS

  (Mrs. CLAYTON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, there are those in this body who would 
have America believe there is no health care crisis.
  I stand before you today to say, shame on them. Shame on them for 
trying to deny over 37 million of their fellow citizens who stand to 
lose everything they have, if they are faced with a serious illness or 
injury.
  Those who live in rural areas like my own district have an even 
greater problem--that of access. They often put off going to the doctor 
until they are faced with a medical emergency. Then, they have to drive 
many miles to the nearest hospital.
  Mr. Speaker, this is expensive, inhumane, and unacceptable. It is a 
crisis of the worst sort. We must have health care reform now, with 
coverage that is universal, affordable, and portable. And for the 
people who live in rural areas and urban centers where access is a 
tremendous problem, we must empower community health centers to do what 
they do best.
  We must protect this grassroots health care delivery system if we are 
ever to fully address the problem of access. I ask you to join me in 
support of the Access to Community Health Care Act, and the Community 
Health Improvement Act. They will ensure that this main artery to 
preventive health care will not be shut off from those who so 
desperately need it.

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