[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 14809]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    BRINGING DOWN HEALTH CARE COSTS

  (Mr. ALTMIRE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, this week, both Houses of Congress put 
forward the initial draft of a long-overdue effort to cut health care 
costs in this country. And while we still have to come to agreement on 
all the details, there can be no doubt that the American people expect 
us to act to bring down health care costs.
  The cost of health care affects every business and every family in 
this country. It is one of the leading drivers of our long-term 
deficit, it makes our businesses less globally competitive, and it adds 
uncertainty to millions of American families who are one accident, 
illness or job loss away from losing everything. And while we debate 
how best to fix what doesn't work in our health care system, we must 
preserve what works and build upon the best aspects of our uniquely 
American system.
  We will spend the summer debating the details of the plan, but one 
thing is certain: the American people will not accept the status quo as 
health care costs continue to skyrocket. ``No'' is not an answer.

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