[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 22244]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        EXCLUDING AMERICANS FROM HEALTH CARE BASED ON GEOGRAPHY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the 
Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) for 1 minute.
  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, I have been explaining the issue of health 
care reform in the United States territories. Here is the problem:
  Reform is sorely needed for the American citizens living in the 
territories, but the bills currently before this House deny us that 
reform. Under these bills, we will be required to purchase health 
insurance, but we will not be eligible for the affordability credits 
that help pay for it, even though more than 40 percent of those in the 
Northern Mariana Islands live below the poverty level.
  CHIP programs will be brought to an end, but without an exchange or 
public option in the territories, thousands of children will lose 
coverage. Our Medicaid program will remain criminally underfunded.
  Madam Speaker, for health insurance reform to exclude some Americans 
simply because of geography is wrong. It is discriminatory. And until 
it is remedied, my colleagues should know this ``reform'' leaves behind 
many of those who need it the very most.

                          ____________________