[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              HEALTH CARE

  (Ms. WATSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to you about health 
care reform. This past month, Anthem Blue Cross in California decided 
to raise their insurance premiums by 39 percent. This is simply 
unacceptable. My constituents cannot be expected to swallow this price 
while they struggle to keep food on the table.
  I have long been a supporter of comprehensive health care reform 
because of the unfairness and inadequacy of our current health care 
system. I applaud the President's leadership in convening this week's 
health care summit. Though health care reform continues to be a long 
and arduous process, the American people cannot wait any longer. We 
must come to a compromise and pass a health care reform bill that will 
cover as many people as possible with coverage that is affordable. We 
must prohibit discriminatory practices such as pre-existing conditions 
and do away with unfair practices such as caps on coverage. Any reform 
bill must also control costs so that everyone can afford to get the 
treatment they need. Let's do what is right.

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