Health Care Reform

Floor Speech

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, we must not let this historic opportunity slip away. If we do not act, rising health care costs will continue to crush families and businesses, forcing small business owners to choose between health care and jobs. If we do nothing, in 30 years, $1 out of every $3 in our economy will be tied up in the health care system. If we fail to pass reform, premiums for both single and family policies could more than double by 2020, continuing to pad the bottom line of insurance companies at the expense of the American workers.

If we can pass health reform, consumers will be able to select their insurance plan and doctors, and they would no longer be denied coverage because of preexisting conditions and they can keep their coverage when they change jobs.

Finally, reforming our health care system will allow us to free up more money for jobs and for economic activity while assisting small businesses to add an estimated 80,000 new jobs.

Mr. Speaker, how long are 46 million uninsured Americans supposed to wait? The American people deserve to take back control over their health care system.

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