[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 41 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               IN RECOGNITION OF COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK

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                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2003

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very 
important initiative that will bring national attention to a severe and 
growing problem--the uninsured in America.
  The sheer number and variety of organizations involved in Cover the 
Uninsured Week show that the consequences of this problem touch our 
entire society. Every community, every hospital, every caregiver, every 
taxpayer, and every individual in our country has a stake in addressing 
this issue.
  New reports that suggest that 75 million Americans lacked insurance 
for all or part of 2001 and 2002 only give this issue increased 
urgency. It is easier from a public policy perspective to look at one 
piece of the puzzle--for example, how urban hospitals struggle to 
provide uncompensated care, how families struggle when they have a 
disabled child or how small business struggle to offer health insurance 
to their employees. But the problem is broader, and it is clearer than 
ever that allowing Americans to remain uninsured negatively affects our 
nation's health status, access to care and even our financial security.
  Since coming to Congress, I have made addressing this issue one of my 
primary goals. I am working in particular with my colleagues in the 
Blue Dog Caucus to address the group with the highest uninsured 
population--employees of small businesses. I am working on legislation 
to provide tax credits for small employers who offer health insurance. 
I know this is just one piece of the puzzle of the uninsured, but I 
think that if we can sustain the momentum created by Cover the 
Uninsured Week and utilize the expertise of the broad array of 
organizations that have come together to bring this issue to the 
forefront, we can put the pieces together and make a difference for all 
uninsured Americans.

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