[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18041]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT ON HEALTH CARE REFORM

  (Ms. SCHWARTZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SCHWARTZ. The introduction of health care reform legislation 
marks tremendous progress toward meaningful health care reform for all 
Americans. As a member of the Committee on Ways and Means and a 
centrist Democrat, I worked to ensure that this legislation is built on 
American assets of innovation, competition, private-public choices, and 
shared responsibility.
  I authored core provisions to increase access to primary care and 
strengthen consumer protections in the private market, both of which 
are key to improving the quality, efficiency, and reducing the cost of 
care, while improving health outcomes.
  These provisions will increase the number of primary care doctors and 
nurses, increase reimbursement for primary care, and coordinate care 
for patients. Copayments for prevention and primary care will be 
eliminated for all Americans. Insurance companies will be prohibited 
from excluding coverage of preexisting conditions and will be required 
to explain coverage in plain language.
  As Members of Congress, we have a shared responsibility to contain 
health costs for families, businesses and the government, while 
ensuring that every American has access to affordable, meaningful, 
stable coverage. The status quo is unacceptable and unsustainable. Now 
is the time to act.

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