[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 17663]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1230
                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

  (Mr. HIMES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HIMES. Mr. Speaker, the cost and inefficiency of our health care 
system is embarrassing. It is the only word. American families pay 
$1,100 extra every year through their health insurance premiums to fund 
care for the patients who are unable to pay their hospital bills. The 
U.S. meanwhile ranks 42nd in the world in life expectancy, and the 
overuse of invasive medical procedures is dangerous to many. Unexpected 
health care expenses is the leading cause of bankruptcy amongst 
American families.
  The system is bankrupting the Government of the United States, of 
Connecticut and of the other 49 States. We have got to get this reform 
right. It is critical to American families, to fiscal prudence, and to 
the future of this country. It won't be easy, but inaction is simply 
not an option.

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