[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 18577]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               GUARANTEEING HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS

  (Mr. BUTTERFIELD asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, one of our core Democratic principles 
in seeking health care reform is gaining control over health care 
costs. Contrary to my friend, the minority leader, what he said a few 
minutes ago, this is not government takeover of health care. It's about 
guaranteeing health care for all Americans and reducing the costs of 
health care which are just spiraling out of control.
  If we fail to control health care costs, families will continue to be 
burdened with higher premiums and unaffordable out-of-pocket expenses; 
businesses will be forced to drop coverage or lay off workers; and our 
national and State budgets will become unsustainable.
  Without reform, the costs of health care for the average family of 
four are projected to rise $1,800 annually for years to come.
  In my home district of North Carolina alone, there were 400 health 
care-related bankruptcies last year, caused primarily by health care 
costs not being covered by insurance.
  The reforms would cap out-of-pocket expenses at $10,000 per year, 
ensuring that no American will have to face financial ruin due to 
health care costs.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to work together to find solutions.

                          ____________________