[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10888]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              WHY THE BUDGET IS IMPORTANT FOR HEALTH CARE

  (Ms. SCHWARTZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SCHWARTZ. Mr. Speaker, as we mark President Obama's first 100 
days in office this week, the House will vote on the President's budget 
which sets a new vision of hope and responsibility for America.
  As vice chair of the Budget Committee, I know that this budget is 
fiscally responsible and it sets forth a path to meet our Nation's 
greatest challenges. With more than 47 million Americans uninsured, 
this budget includes critical language ensuring that Congress will act 
this year to expand access to care and to reduce costs.
  Soaring health care costs are impeding our economic competitiveness, 
straining the Federal budget and causing families all across this 
country to make difficult choices about their health and well-being. 
This budget sets the context for this important work that Congress will 
do to find a uniquely American solution to health care access and 
costs, one that includes innovation and technology, incentives for an 
effective delivery system, a renewed commitment to prevention, and 
consumer protections in the private-public marketplace.
  We cannot sustain the status quo, nor should we. Now is the time to 
finally get health care to all Americans. We should pass the budget 
resolution and begin the task ahead.

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