[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7136]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      MAKE HEALTH CARE A PRIORITY

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                           HON. RUSS CARNAHAN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 11, 2009

  Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, yesterday, the New Democrat Coalition 
including myself met with President Obama at the White House to discuss 
legislative strategy including the looming crisis of health care.
  Missourians I represent expect their leaders to talk straight and 
provide common-sense solutions. President Obama and the new Congress 
have been doing just that. This year we have sought solutions to cover 
the more than 47 million Americans without health care.
  Already this year we have dramatically increased health care coverage 
for low-income and uninsured children.
  We've also modernized the health care system to lower costs and save 
lives by investing in Health Information Technology systems.
  It is reassuring to see that the President's budget puts aside more 
than $630 billion over the next 10 years to reform health care, reduce 
Medicare overpayments to private insurers, and reduce drug prices. By 
tackling this issue we can rein in the high costs that are a drag on 
the entire economy.
  The commitment by the New Dems and President Obama to health care is 
working to not only do the right thing but to ensure America and its 
children remain competitive in today's global economy.

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