[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26534]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              HEALTH CARE

  (Mr. BOEHNER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, the American people have 
said that the number one thing they're concerned about with regard to 
health care is the cost of health care. The Speaker's 1,990-page 
government takeover of health care raises the cost of insurance for 
American families and it will add to our already exploding debt.
  The cost of the Speaker's bill is now at $1.3 trillion and counting. 
It's a debt that will be paid for by our kids and our grandkids. And, 
to make matters worse, it will increase taxes, impose job-killing 
mandates, and cut seniors' Medicare benefits.
  There's a better way. Republicans have outlined a plan to lower cost 
and expand access at a price our Nation can afford. This includes 
letting families buy health insurance across State lines; allowing 
small businesses to pool and offer health insurance to their employees 
at much lower cost, just like big businesses and unions can today; 
giving States the tools to create innovative reforms that lower costs; 
and ending junk lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs.
  Given all that's at stake, the American people deserve to see the 
Republicans' smart, fiscally responsible plans debated here on the 
House floor side-by-side with the Speaker's 1,990-page bill.
  I hope we will see that debate and vote as soon as possible.

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