[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 7, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H40]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN INVESTS IN AMERICA'S FUTURE

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, at a time of great economic anxiety, this 
new Congress faces enormous challenges. In the next 6 weeks we're going 
to craft and hopefully pass an economic recovery package that will 
create and save millions of jobs and will help jump start our economy 
with investments in some of our Nation's top priorities.
  At a time when millions of Americans are losing their health 
insurance, Washington needs to provide critical assistance to States so 
that they can continue to provide health care services through 
Medicaid. If Congress does not act, States will have no other choice 
than to begin dropping coverage. That is an immediate health care 
concern that we should deal with as part of any economic stimulus 
package.
  But we also have an opportunity to modernize our health care system 
with new computer technology that will greatly reduce health care costs 
and will improve care for every American.
  Madam Speaker, I look forward to working with all of my colleagues in 
crafting a bipartisan plan that will help rebuild our economy so that 
we can get people back to work.

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