[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 58 (Thursday, May 5, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING ``COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK'' May 1-8, 2005

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                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2005

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, as our Nation recognizes ``Cover the 
Uninsured Week'', I rise today to bring attention to the plight of the 
45 million Americans who lack health insurance and access to 
healthcare.
  Mr. Speaker, we are facing a health insurance and healthcare crisis 
in our country. While our Nation spends more per capita than any other 
country on healthcare, our delivery systems are disjointed and 
ineffective.
  There was a time when it was assumed that having a job meant having 
health insurance. This is no longer the case. More than 80 percent of 
uninsured Americans are workers, most with full time jobs. Within my 
own state of Maryland, 90 percent of the 750,000 citizens lacking 
health insurance are employed.
  Increasingly, more Americans lose health coverage every year, and 
those who have coverage pay more for it. Healthcare and drug costs are 
rising, as are premiums. As a result, many small businesses struggling 
to stay competitive in today's economy cannot afford to offer their 
employees insurance coverage. As a result, workers with access to 
employer-based group insurance plans often cannot afford the costs they 
must bear for insurance premiums.
  The inability to obtain medical insurance unduly affects minorities. 
A staggering 1 in 3 of Hispanics are uninsured, compared to 1 in 10 of 
the Nation's white population.
  Whereas, the African American community is disproportionately 
affected by diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems 
that require regular access to healthcare, 1 in 5 African Americans 
unfortunately are also uninsured.
  The consequences are severe. Citizens without health insurance are 
less likely to seek preventative care or help with minor medical 
problems, leading to major, more costly medical problems. Without 
insurance, a person's health is compromised, and their lifespan is 
shortened. In fact, there are 18,000 deaths each year in this country 
caused by a lack of health insurance--these deaths are preventable.
  The increase in the uninsured population affects not only the health 
of our citizens, but the health of our economy as well. In fact, nearly 
half of all bankruptcy filings result from medical expenses. Having 
just one uninsured family member suffer from just one major medical 
problem or hospital stay can devastate the financial and emotional 
resources of an entire family.
  To stop the drain on our healthcare infrastructure, our society, and 
our economy, we must provide insurance coverage to all Americans. We 
must find a way to lower healthcare and drug costs. We must find a way 
to make premiums more affordable for employees and employers.
  Our small businesses should not have to choose between economic 
success and meeting their employees' healthcare needs. Workers should 
not have to refuse insurance for themselves and their children because 
premiums are too high.
  Please join me in supporting the goals of Cover the Uninsured Week. 
Join me and those stalwarts like Congressmen John Conyers, Pete Stark, 
Charlie Rangel and Frank Pallone, and Congresswomen Tammy Baldwin, 
Barbara Lee and Donna Christensen--as we continue our commitment to 
solving our health insurance crisis and to making sure that all 
Americans have access to healthcare.
  Congress must urgently examine ways to transform our healthcare 
system so that it is comprehensive, universal, and sustainable. I look 
forward to taking part in that discussion.

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