[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 8990]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1415
                        COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK

  (Ms. WATSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, Americans should be confident that they have 
access to quality health care. So I support the resolution, H.R. 99, 
promoted by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) which gives 
guidance to provide insurance to all Americans.
  Over the past 3 years, 3.8 million Americans lost their health 
insurance and 43 million Americans are now uninsured. Health insurance 
premiums have increased almost 50 percent since the beginning of the 
Bush administration and four times faster than workers' earnings last 
year.
  In a related issue, minority groups often encounter major obstacles 
in obtaining health care. Minority groups are less likely to have 
health insurance and are less likely to receive the appropriate health 
care services. The Health Care Equality and Accountability Act of 2003 
would go far in lifting the shadow of health disparities that fall not 
only on minority communities but on all Americans. Also, this 
legislation would make quality health care more affordable, providing 
coverage for parents and young adults who are currently uninsured.

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