[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 19667]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     OUR BROKEN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

  (Mr. POLIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, health care reform is the single most 
important step we can take to help families and rebuild our economy. 
Our health care system is broken, and only a comprehensive fix will end 
the suffering of so many from sickness and financial insecurity.
  Today, I want to share the story of Alicia Varela, a 56-year-old 
resident in my district in Colorado. Like many Americans, Alicia 
followed her dreams, bravely left her home, and moved to the United 
States--legally--where, like many other Americans, she's paid into the 
system, and like many Americans, her employer does not provide health 
insurance.
  With common but pricey preexisting arthritis and blood clot 
conditions, Alicia could not afford the high prices quoted by private 
insurance companies. But when tragedy struck and she became seriously 
ill, like many Americans, Alicia went to the emergency room as a last 
resort. By the time she was rushed into surgery, her situation was so 
severe that doctors removed a tumor that weighed 10 pounds. She isn't 
100 percent better and she doesn't know what to do.
  Her salary, while too high to qualify for Medicaid, is nowhere near 
enough to cover the high costs for a hospital stay. She can't afford 
costly medications and copes each day with pain and financial worries.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me to help Alicia and many 
Americans like her.

                          ____________________