[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H2322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  COVERAGE FOR PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS

  (Ms. GIFFORDS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Speaker, many stories have been shared here on the 
floor of the House of Representatives, but today I rise to share the 
story of Larry and Naomi, two of my constituents, who will now have 
health care because we recently passed health insurance reform.
  Last year Larry was laid off from his job, and immediately began 
searching for insurance. He was repeatedly denied because his wife, 
Naomi, was diagnosed with benign fibroids. This is a condition that 
occurs in up to 50 percent of all women. The companies barred his wife 
because she had a pre-existing condition. This is a horrible practice 
that will end with this new law.
  In my district, there are an estimated 10,300 people just like Naomi. 
Starting in 2014, these people will be able to get health care 
coverage. The new law establishes high-risk insurance pools for adults 
with such pre-existing conditions. When the law is fully implemented in 
2014, no insurance company will be able to use this excuse to deny this 
type of coverage.
  Between now and then coverage will be available to Naomi and 
thousands of others. Mr. Speaker, I was proud to vote for this bill.

                          ____________________