[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 44 (Monday, March 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E437-E438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECONCILIATION ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Sunday, March 21, 2010

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Patient Protection 
and Affordable Care Act, a historic measure that will put families 
first when it comes to accessing health care coverage.
  American families need this bill now more than ever. In the past 
decade, the cost of health care for American families has skyrocketed. 
Last year, more than half of Americans postponed care or skipped their 
medications because they could not afford it.
  If we do nothing, it is only going to get worse.
  If we do nothing, in ten years small businesses will shell out 
$29,000 in medical costs per employee--a staggering 166 percent 
increase.

[[Page E438]]

  If we do nothing, the cost of an employer-sponsored health insurance 
plan will reach $24,000 a year by 2016--an outrageous increase of 84 
percent.
  And if we do nothing, the American economy will break under the 
weight of mounting debt.
  Just saying no and doing nothing is not an option. And yet, some of 
my colleagues on the other side of the aisle continue to tell us 
exactly that--stop, do nothing, things are okay as is.
  But, Americans know that the current situation is neither okay nor 
sustainable. Americans may be tired of the endless media coverage 
regarding this debate. And, they might be frustrated by the lack of 
cordiality between Republicans and Democrats. But, they know that we 
have serious problems in our health care system that must be fixed.
  And we are ready to do it.
  The Democratic Congress, along with President Obama, has put together 
a reform measure that will put an end to abuses in the insurance 
industry and mandate that patients' needs be put first.
  When the President signs this measure into law, immediately:

  Insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to 
children who are sick or end coverage for Americans who get sick;
  Children and young adults will be allowed to remain on their parents' 
insurance plans up to the age of 26--helping them stay healthy during 
this important transition period;
  Seniors who currently have a gap in their prescription drug coverage 
will see the cost of their brand name drugs reduced by 50 percent and 
the gap in their prescription drug coverage reduced by $250. In the 
coming years, all gaps in coverage will be eliminated entirely.

  Beyond the immediate benefits, many other important reforms will go 
into effect within a few years:

  There will be stability and security for those who have health 
insurance. So, if you like the coverage you have currently, you can 
keep it.
  Small businesses will qualify for generous tax credits to help offset 
the cost of insuring their employees and keep them competitive in the 
global economy;
  The growth in medical costs will go down, as will the Federal 
government's deficit.

  Simply put: health reform is good medicine for American families and 
businesses.
  There's no doubt that this reform measure isn't perfect. But, like 
any significant change in policy, it will always be a work in progress. 
We will make changes as we move forward. There is no denying, however, 
that today's vote is historic and significant and will benefit millions 
of hard-working American families.
  Madam Speaker, it is time for courage. Former President Franklin D. 
Roosevelt once said ``The only limit to our realization of tomorrow 
will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active 
faith.''
  We must not be afraid of tomorrow, when today we can change the lives 
of millions of Americans for the better.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and join us in the effort to put 
the health of Americans before insurance company profits.

                          ____________________