[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 24739]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                GIVING PEACE OF MIND AND HEALTH SECURITY

  (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I want to share with my colleagues a 
letter I recently received from a constituent in Niles, Illinois. He 
writes:
  ``As one of your constituents, I urge you to move forward and pass 
comprehensive health reform, including a public option. I have been 
self-employed for 18 years. My continued ability to afford medical 
insurance and health care has been my biggest concern. Without a public 
option, those of us who do not have an employer-provided medical 
insurance are at the mercy the insurance industry. As an example, six 
years ago when I turned 55, my medical insurance premium increased 33 
percent in 7 months. Each year I wonder if I will have to give up my 
business, because I will no longer be able to afford medical insurance 
on my own.''
  We need to pass comprehensive reform this year to give my constituent 
and other self-employed individuals peace of mind and health security.

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