[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 17833]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HEALTH CARE SYSTEM REFORM

  (Mr. SIRES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak of the pressing need to 
fix our health care system. Every day, Americans not only worry about 
getting well, but whether they can afford to get well or stay healthy. 
They are not the only ones who worry. All too often small businesses 
are forced to choose between coverage or layoffs.
  We have the most expensive health system care in the world, spending 
almost 50 percent more per person on health care than the next most 
costly nation; yet we're not healthier for it.
  Mr. Speaker, I am glad that Congress and the President are working 
together on a plan to reform our health care system, a plan that will 
reduce costs, provide choices, and guarantee affordable quality health 
care for all. We must act now, for it is evident that the status quo is 
simply not working.

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