[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19545-19546]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           CRAFTING BIPARTISAN HEALTH CARE REFORM LEGISLATION

  (Mr. BUTTERFIELD asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I am disappointed that our Republican 
colleagues are refusing to work with us in crafting health care reform 
legislation.
  Yes, you are.
  Instead of working with us, you have cranked up your message machine. 
You have labeled our legislation with every label except ones that are 
accurate. Most disappointing, Republicans are frightening our seniors 
with false

[[Page 19546]]

statements that they will experience a reduction in Medicare benefits. 
Wrong.
  The truth is this legislation would not only maintain important 
Medicare benefits, but it will enhance them. We cannot afford to 
continue to do nothing about health care reform. There are 45 million 
who are uninsured. There are 14,000 Americans who are losing their 
benefits every day. Employer-sponsored group plans are getting more 
expensive. They have high deductibles and high copays, and they simply 
don't provide the security that families need. The cost of family 
health insurance will continue to rise five times faster than wages.
  We must have reform and we must have it now. I urge my Republican 
colleagues to reconsider their strategy to block this legislation.

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