[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[HOU]
[Page 15719]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     URGENT NEED TO FIX HEALTH CARE

  (Mr. HASTINGS of Florida asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. We urgently need to fix health care. Every 
day Americans worry not simply about getting well, but whether they can 
afford to get well. Millions more wonder if they can afford routine 
care to stay well.
  Premiums have doubled over the last 9 years, three times faster than 
wages, and the average American family already pays an extra $1,000 in 
premiums every year for a broken system that supports 46 million or 
more uninsured Americans.
  We have the most expensive health care system in the world. We spend 
almost 50 percent more per person on health care than the next most 
costly nation, but we are no healthier for it.
  We need a uniquely American solution that builds on the best of what 
works--to foster competition among private plans and provide patients 
with quality care, ensure that every American child is covered, invest 
in prevention and wellness to help every American live longer and 
healthier lives, and ensure that doctors and nurses get the information 
they need to provide you with the best individualized care.
  Never again will coverage be denied if you allow that we go forward 
with this plan. Never again will one have to make a life or job 
decision based on coverage. Never will anyone have to let your family 
suffer financial catastrophe or bankruptcy.
  ``No'' is not the answer.

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