[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H757-H758]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

  (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)

[[Page H758]]

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, we were so hopeful as this Congress 
opened and seemed on track to enact comprehensive health care reform to 
provide access to health care for every American.
  Today, I am extremely disappointed to stand here to voice my 
consternation and frustration over the unequal, unjust, and inexcusable 
treatment of the millions of Americans living in the U.S. territories 
that we see in the President's proposal on health care reform.
  Rather than working to provide quality, affordable care to all 
Americans, it would leave roughly 4.5 million, a disproportionate 
number who would desperately want and need health care coverage, leave 
them out in the cold without access to the health care exchange; 
without the same consumer benefits that other Americans would receive; 
without adequate Medicaid funding; and, thus, without the same comfort 
and security that comes with knowing that you and your family will have 
the quality health care when you need it, every time you need it.
  The men and women in the U.S. territories are the same as those from 
California to Vermont, from Florida to Wyoming who love this Nation, 
who bravely serve in war to defend it, and who deserve to be treated as 
first class citizens in every aspect of our democracy.
  This proposal fails them and, by extension, fails every American who 
believes in equality and fairness. I call on my colleagues, as we move 
forward, to honor the worth and the dignity of every American.

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