[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 25, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H3838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK

  (Mr. STUPAK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise this morning to bring attention to 
Cover the Uninsured Week and to encourage the Congress to enact 
comprehensive health care reform this year.
  Our Nation's health care system--which leaves more than 45 million 
Americans uninsured and millions more underinsured--is badly in need of 
reform. Practically $56 billion in uncompensated care for the uninsured 
is absorbed annually by the health system, driving up the cost of 
insurance for everyone. Health care costs are consuming more of 
individuals', families', and businesses' budgets every year and 
represent the fastest growing piece of the Federal budget.
  The economic crisis is also shedding further light on a system that 
is inefficient, unaffordable and out of reach for too many Americans. 
Americans cannot simply wait any longer to ensure greater access to 
quality affordable health care.
  I encourage all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come 
together to enact comprehensive health care reform this year. So during 
this week, Uninsured Week, when Congress recognizes the plight of those 
Americans without health insurance, let us strive to provide all 
Americans with comprehensive, affordable health care now.

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