[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 21629]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HEALTH CARE PREMIUM INCREASES

  (Mr. HALL of New York asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Speaker, over the last few weeks, I have 
heard stories from businesses, nonprofits, individuals, and even health 
care providers in my district who have received health care premium 
increases up to 39 percent. These increases are unfair, unsustainable 
and crippling our economy.
  These drastic increases are likely to continue as long as private 
insurers are allowed to regulate themselves. That's why we must vote 
soon on a comprehensive plan to improve health care, a plan that will 
reduce costs for the middle class, end insurance company abuses, and 
increase stable, quality care and access for all Americans.
  We need to get reform done but get it right. We must keep listening 
and engaging with our constituents to ensure that reform will benefit 
all Americans. With health care premiums growing three times faster 
than wages, we can't afford to wait.

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