[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E38]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               AMERICANS WANT TRANSPARENCY ON HEALTH CARE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LAMAR SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 19, 2010

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, the Administration's health care 
plan will affect every single American and impact one-sixth of the U.S. 
economy.
  But congressional leaders have taken the critical negotiations behind 
closed doors, even though President Obama repeatedly promised a 
transparent process.
  The Administration claims Congress needs to pass a health care plan 
to cover 47 million people who are uninsured.
  But that 47 million figure includes 4 million people who are eligible 
for public health insurance but not yet enrolled, 10 million illegal 
immigrants, 9 million people who are only temporarily uninsured, and 10 
million people who can afford health coverage but choose not to 
purchase it.
  We should focus on the long-term, low-income uninsured, about 14 
million people, not a government takeover of the entire private health 
care delivery system.

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