[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 41 (Friday, March 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              HEALTH CARE

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                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 19, 2010

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, today's headlines are full of talk about 
process and vote counts, making it possible for some to forget what we 
are doing and why we are doing it.
  We are reforming healthcare because our system is broken.
  Insurance companies are discriminating against those with pre-
existing or ``on-going'' conditions.
  Companies are discriminating against people like Alicia Chester--a 
constituent from my district--who, after graduating from college, was 
denied adequate coverage.
  Because she suffers from back pain, the insurance companies refused 
to cover Alicia's back treatment, deeming hers an ``on-going'' 
condition.
  Then, due to one irregular pap-smear, the insurance companies 
declared Alicia a ``cervical cancer risk'' and barred her from 
reapplying for 18 months.
  No one deserves to be dropped because they need help.
  No one should have to decide whether to cover costs out-of-pocket, or 
to avoid medical treatment because the costs are too high.
  We are fixing healthcare because of people like Alicia.

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