[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 22511]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE NEEDS HEALTH INSURANCE

  (Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my 
colleagues to pass comprehensive health reform, not this decade, not 
next year but this year.
  Our constituents need help now. My constituents have told me that 
health care costs are beyond their reach. Some can't afford insurance 
at all and others have been denied coverage or dropped the minute they 
got sick. These problems plague our entire population, but 
disproportionately affect Hispanics.
  Hispanics have an unbelievable uninsured rate of 31 percent. Our 
health system must provide essential services to all Americans, 
including those of Hispanic descent.
  Hispanic Americans are the fastest-growing demographic group in this 
country. They are our future workforce.
  Without health care coverage for all Americans, our country's 
economic future is at risk. Health care reform means having the peace 
of mind that if something unexpected should happen, an accident or an 
unexpected illness, people won't fall into economic ruin. Health care 
coverage for all Americans means a healthier, more productive America.
  The time for health care reform is now.

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