[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 4, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H2931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW FOR HEALTH CARE

  (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Last week, President Obama submitted a budget that 
expresses his commitment to transforming health care in America. 
Tomorrow, he will gather Members of Congress, consumers, business men 
and women, and health care providers at the White House to discuss how 
to achieve the common goals he laid out in the budget, ``constraining 
costs, expanding access, and improving quality.''
  The economic crisis we face is not a cause for delay, it is an 
argument for comprehensive reform. The need for action couldn't be 
clearer. Every percentage increase in the unemployment rate means 
another 1.1 million Americans becomes uninsured.
  Over half of all Americans, many of them insured, are doing without 
medical care because of high costs. Emergency rooms are being forced to 
turn away patients, and businesses that cover their workers are 
struggling to be competitive in the face of rising premiums.
  We must assure that all Americans are covered and give each a choice 
of a public health insurance plan or private plan that provides 
comprehensive, affordable and high-quality care. The time to act is 
now.

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