[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 117 (Thursday, July 30, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H9061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     DOING NOTHING IS NOT AN OPTION

  (Ms. CHU asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, not in six decades have we been this close to 
achieving the most crucial task of reforming our health care system. 
Let me be clear: we would be derelict in our duty to the American 
people if we let this opportunity go to waste.
  Now, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle claim that this 
legislation amounts to the government takeover of health care and that 
Americans will be stripped of their choices of doctors and plans, but 
the reality is that everybody in this country will lose if they don't 
have health care reform.
  People like Mary Smith, a 45-year-old with diabetes who just lost her 
job, she will no longer have to worry about whether she can get 
insurance again. Certainly, in my district, everybody will benefit, the 
155,000 who lack health care coverage but, also, the majority of my 
constituents who are insured. They will have stability, security and 
peace of mind in having health care that they can count on no matter 
what happens. You will always have options for coverage even if you 
change or lose your job. You will never be denied coverage if you get 
sick.
  Doing nothing is not an option.

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