[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 18757]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           IMPROVING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, we have a health care crisis in America. 
Rising health care costs are overwhelming individuals, families and 
businesses, large and small. We have a staggering 41 million 
individuals, nearly one in six Americans, without health insurance. In 
America, that is just not fair.
  Millions more Americans have only catastrophic coverage, with $5,000 
to $15,000 deductibles. Others have policies with copays so high that 
basic health care needs, including preventive and diagnostic service, 
are not met. Many families are literally one serious illness away from 
bankruptcy.
  To fix our broken economy, we have to fix our broken health care 
system. We must build a stronger, more effective health care system 
before it is too late. The future of our country and our ability to 
compete in the global economy depend on it. I believe that every 
American has a right to quality, affordable health care that doesn't 
blunt the competitive edge of employers or unduly burden taxpayers. It 
is time for bold action.
  I have created the Healthy Americans Plan to relieve the strain on 
families and individuals, ease the burden on businesses and nonprofits 
and drive down costs. It builds on the strengths of the existing 
American health care system, but provides new and better choices for 
businesses, the self-employed, families and individuals.
  My plan will offer quality, affordable health insurance choices like 
those available to Members of Congress. My plan will help small 
businesses offer employee health coverage by providing them with a 
refundable tax credit. It also improves access to medical care in rural 
areas and provides relief for middle-class families and individuals who 
are struggling to afford health insurance.
  The key elements of my plan include the following:
  All Americans, including the self-employed and owners and employees 
of small businesses, will be guaranteed the freedom to purchase a 
quality plan that is affordable and right for them.
  Americans who like their current health care coverage will have the 
security of knowing they can keep it.
  Insurers will have to compete for business on the basis of cost and 
quality, not by profiting from and discriminating against people 
because of age or preexisting conditions.
  National choices will include private plans as well as a nationwide 
option, a nationwide public option. Employees enrolled in the national 
plan will be able to keep their plan even if they change jobs, move to 
a different State or have changes in their medical condition.
  Costs will be driven down, with comprehensive measures designed to 
improve quality and promote efficiency, including investing in health 
information technology.
  Under my plan, people aged 55 to 65 will be allowed to buy into 
Medicare to provide security to early retirees, who are often charged 
higher premiums based on their age and risk of incurring higher medical 
costs.
  My plan ensures that all children have access to health insurance by 
expanding the SCHIP program and improving outreach and enrollment.
  It eliminates barriers so parents can cover their children up to age 
25 under their family insurance plan.
  Middle-class Americans deserve a health care system with affordable 
insurance premiums and access to the best possible care. Small business 
owners need a system that allows them to stay competitive and provide 
good coverage for their employees.
  Older Americans and younger Americans, two of our most vulnerable 
populations, need a system that guarantees access to necessary care, 
regardless of income level.
  We need experienced, dedicated leadership to address the fundamental 
shortcomings of our existing health care system. My Healthy Americans 
Plan will make the system more efficient and cost-effective and will 
improve access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

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