[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 17, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H1522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, we must not let this historic opportunity 
slip away. If we do not act, rising health care costs will continue to 
crush families and businesses, forcing small business owners to choose 
between health care and jobs. If we do nothing, in 30 years, $1 out of 
every $3 in our economy will be tied up in the health care system. If 
we fail to pass reform, premiums for both single and family policies 
could more than double by 2020, continuing to pad the bottom line of 
insurance companies at the expense of the American workers.
  If we can pass health reform, consumers will be able to select their 
insurance plan and doctors, and they would no longer be denied coverage 
because of preexisting conditions and they can keep their coverage when 
they change jobs.
  Finally, reforming our health care system will allow us to free up 
more money for jobs and for economic activity while assisting small 
businesses to add an estimated 80,000 new jobs.
  Mr. Speaker, how long are 46 million uninsured Americans supposed to 
wait? The American people deserve to take back control over their 
health care system.

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