[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 15619]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT ON HEALTH CARE REFORM

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, every day my constituents share with me their 
personal stories. I often hear about their passport or mortgage 
troubles. But perhaps more than any other concern, they tell me of 
their family's struggle to stay healthy or to get treatment when they 
become sick without health insurance.
  They tell me how they have worked all their lives, only to lose their 
retirement savings when they need serious medical treatment.
  These stories are unacceptable, just as it is unacceptable that one 
in five Americans are uninsured. Now is the time to act. For each day 
we delay, an additional 14,000 Americans lose coverage.
  There are four items that must be included in the final legislation 
to fix our health care system. First, we must ensure coverage so that 
everyone has access to health insurance. Second, we must improve the 
quality of care. Third, we must contain costs while investing in 
preventative care. And finally, individuals must be guaranteed their 
choice of health insurance plans and doctors. If we can pass a bill 
that incorporates these four principles, we will have made a real and 
lasting impact on the lives of people.

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