Health Insurance Costs (Families Usa Report)

Floor Speech

HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS (FAMILIES USA REPORT) -- (House of Representatives - April 29, 2009)

(Ms. CASTOR of Florida asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the dramatic rise in the cost of health care for American families and the need to take action.

Yesterday, Families USA, a national health advocacy group, released a report that showed in my home State of Florida and all across the country, more and more families are dealing with huge increases in premiums and copays. The report explains that for many years now, rising health care costs have been devouring a larger and larger portion of family income. Health care costs were too high even before this economic crisis. And now the rising costs are a serious drag on economic recovery for middle class families and businesses, unless we act soon.

The Families USA report highlights how vital it is that we tackle health care reform now to help American families out of this middle class squeeze. Our health care reform efforts must be focused on making care more affordable for families and businesses.

To lower costs, we must focus on prevention, computerizing medical records, eliminating waste, and more cost-effective treatments.

Thankfully, the White House and many in Congress are committed to taking action this year.

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