[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 11, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H3147-H3148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

  (Mr. ALTMIRE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, for the first time in many years, this 
Congress

[[Page H3148]]

is moving forward with long overdue legislation to reform our Nation's 
health care system. With 47 million Americans without health insurance 
and costs rising well above the rate of inflation, health reform is an 
issue that can no longer be ignored. Health care affects every 
individual, every family and every business in America. Less than half 
of all small businesses in this country can afford to offer health 
insurance to their employees. Tens of millions of insured Americans 
live in fear of losing their coverage due to skyrocketing health care 
costs, and families are one accident or illness away from losing 
everything.
  Together we can put an end to the decades of roadblocks that have 
prevented meaningful health care reform. Let us not let this 
opportunity pass us by again.

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