[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 23657]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   LACK OF A GOOD HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, as a nurse by 
basic profession, I have spent much of my public career working to 
ensure that the Nation's health care system is affordable and provides 
the best services possible to all Americans. While America still has a 
world-class health system, there are those whose lives have been 
threatened by a focus on profits over healing. I believe that a doctor 
and patient, not an HMO accountant, should make sensitive medical 
decisions. I also support a plan that would expand Medicare coverage 
for prescription medication. However, there must be some cost 
containment agreement with the manufacturers and a streamlining of the 
Federal administrative structure to reduce costs to beneficiaries.
  The Current Population Survey, the CPS, is the primary source for 
data on Texas's uninsured population. It paints a picture for the state 
of health care in Texas. My home State currently has the second highest 
rate of uninsured in the United States behind New Mexico. CPS data 
shows that there were 4.5 million people without health insurance in 
Texas, which is about 21.4 percent of the total population.
  The rates for the uninsured minority are also quite frightening. 
Blacks and Latinos are far more likely to be uninsured when compared to 
their Anglo, or white, counterparts. Nationally, 11.6 percent of the 
Anglo population, 20.1 of the African American population, and 34.8 
percent of the Hispanic population are without health insurance; but in 
Texas, while 12 percent of whites are uninsured, 21.2 percent of the 
African Americans and 36.7 percent of Hispanics do not have medical 
coverage.
  Finally, one of my most passionate fights has been an effort to 
expand health care for children. I am a principal supporter of the 
State Children's Health Insurance Program, CHIP, the program that 
represents the largest expansion in health care in over 30 years. CHIP 
covers children not eligible for Medicaid insurance. Unfortunately, the 
rates for children without health coverage are also reaching alarming 
numbers. In the United States today, one in five children is without 
health insurance. In fact, in my home State of Texas 1.6 million 
children depend solely on health insurance provided by Medicaid. 
Limited access to health care contributes to growing rates of disease 
among children.
  Studies have shown that good health is a prerequisite for optimal 
learning, and schools can help children achieve academic success by 
participating in efforts that promote good health, including access to 
regular medical and mental health care.
  Protecting the health care of children should be the number one 
priority of any great nation. An investment in the health care of our 
youth is one of the wisest investments we can make for this country. 
Now is the time for all Americans to have access to quality health care 
and meaningful patient protection. Our citizens deserve and expect 
nothing less.

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