[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 12, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH WEEK

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                               speech of

                  HON. HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 2010

  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the 
actions of the House of Representatives in recognizing the importance 
of women's health in our society. I am proud to be an original 
cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 268, which empowers women to make their 
health a top priority.
  Mother's Day marked the start of National Women's Health Week. This 
observance is coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services' Office on Women's Health. This resolution encourages women to 
take small steps to improve their health and reduce their risk for many 
diseases.
  This resolution reaffirms the sense of the House that all women must 
have access to medical services and receive fair treatment. Many women 
have faced significant obstacles in caring for themselves and their 
families. This is why I voted with a majority of the House to pass 
health care reform. Health care reform has lowered costs for women, and 
prohibits insurance companies from overcharging because of gender or 
denying coverage because of a preexisting condition. Health care reform 
has improved women's access to medical services by requiring new health 
care plans to cover preventative care, routine screenings, and regular 
checkups.
  During National Women's Health Week, it is important to encourage our 
wives, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, and aunts to make 
time to improve their health, and prevent disease. When women make 
their health a priority and take small, manageable steps to improve 
their health, the results can be significant and our entire nation 
benefits. The health of women is not just a women's issue, but an 
American issue that affects all of us.
  May 10th was National Women's Checkup Day. I urge all women in my 
district, who have not done so already, to make an appointment with 
their health care professional. Also, I encourage the women in 
Georgia's Fourth District to take advantage of the educational events, 
workshops, and conferences taking place in Atlanta this week.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution which encourages 
women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life.

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