[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECONCILIATION ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Sunday, March 21, 2010

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support H.R. 4872, the Health 
Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 and H.R. 
3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Act, which promise to bring 
economic prosperity for the betterment of this country and our people.
  Tonight, we vote to expand health care to 32 million Americans, 
including more than 150,000 of my constituents who do not currently 
have any type of health insurance.
  I must remind my friends on both sides of the aisle that this is not 
the first time we take up a tough vote.
  Nobody said that this would be easy. These past days days remind me 
of a critical vote I took in 1993. The atmosphere and rhetoric was much 
the same as today. In 1993, we were told voting in favor of President 
Clinton's budget deficit reduction would destroy our country and no 
member would survive re-election if they voted in favor.
  Despite the negative rhetoric, I carefully examined the proposal and 
voted in favor of the legislation. This was a responsible vote. We 
ultimately benefited by balancing the deficit and creating one of the 
largest debt reductions in the history of our great country. Fiscal 
responsibility led us to more than $400 billion in deficit reduction, 
without destroying our country and providing us a prosperous economy 
with global competitiveness.
  Today, I am faced with another pressing historic vote just as I was 
seventeen years ago.
  Growing up in south Texas and working as a migrant worker without 
health insurance, I understand this issue first-hand. I remember what 
that was like and can empathize with the uninsured and underinsured. I 
remember having asthma, a pre-existing condition, which prohibited me 
from obtaining health care insurance before entering military service.
  More than 45,000 annual deaths occur due to lack of insurance and 
health services. Therefore, I support legislation that reduces the 
number of uninsured people by 32 million and presents a net reduction 
in the deficit of $138 billion over 10 years with a total net reduction 
of $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years. That is a responsible vote.
  I support increasing competition and offering additional affordable 
insurance options to consumers. This legislation will improve coverage 
for 296,000 residents with health insurance and extend coverage to 
158,000 uninsured residents in the 27th District of Texas. Small 
businesses will be able to pool together to obtain lower insurance 
premiums, a benefit that has only been available to large employers. 
Small businesses will be eligible for tax credits to help provide 
employer-based insurance to ensure a healthy competitive workforce.
  After much evaluation, this legislation will benefit the 27th 
District of Texas and I will support the measure when brought to the 
House floor.

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