[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 8805]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                        COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK

  (Mrs. CAPPS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CAPPS. This week, once again, we observe Cover the Uninsured 
Week, something we do every year. You know, the United States is a 
world leader in so many respects, but are we ever a poor example to 
follow on health care coverage.
  As many as 47 million Americans lack insurance, and many more we know 
are underinsured. In most instances, they lack access to quality health 
care, especially primary and preventive care.
  Our country has dug itself into a hole so deep, I'm afraid there 
isn't one simple solution to the puzzle of covering the uninsured. 
Thankfully, we have already begun to take important steps, such as 
expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program and assisting 
unemployed individuals struggling to pay COBRA premiums.
  But we have so much more work to do. We must finally extend coverage 
to all Americans, and we must do it this year.
  Let's give real meaning to the phrase ``cover the uninsured'' and 
have something to celebrate next year.

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