Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2010

Floor Speech

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010

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Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I think I've been waiting for this budget, this opportunity most of my adult life, certainly, all of my public life.

Budgets aren't just about numbers. They're about visions and values, and to me there is no more important value than this budget's commitment to guaranteed, affordable, quality, comprehensive health care for all Americans.

No sector of our economy is immune from the twin problems of rising health care costs and declining access. Virtually no family in our country is immune. 47 million Americans are uninsured, but they're not the only ones struggling. Over half of all Americans are delaying, foregoing or skimping on necessary medical care. The consequences are serious.

Businesses, especially small businesses, are being forced to lay off long-term staff, cut or eliminate benefits, or even close their doors because of health care costs.

And this budget also makes room for improvements in Medicare, providing reasonable payments to doctors, and improving the quality of care for our seniors and persons with disabilities.

Some in this body have spoken against health care provisions in this budget because they say the cost is too great. But the American people know that the cost of maintaining the status quo is even greater and more unsustainable.

We can and, going forward, we will debate on how to achieve reform. And I'll be working hard to give everyone the option of choosing a public health insurance plan. But if we don't pass this budget now, we will miss the historic opportunity to finally make sure that every single American will have access to the affordable comprehensive health care that we all need.

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