Providing For Consideration Of H.R. 2, Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

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Ms. MATSUI. I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding me this time.

Madam Speaker, I want to commend Chairman Waxman, Chairman Dingell, and Chairman Pallone for their efforts in crafting this bill.

Madam Speaker, these are uncertain times. Families are struggling to make ends meet. Medical bankruptcy is on the rise.

While the future may be cloudy, our responsibility to our Nation's children is clear. We are charged with ensuring that every child in America has affordable health care. Democrats in Congress take this responsibility seriously, Madam Speaker. So does President-elect Obama. And so do I.

We take it seriously because of stories like the one told to me by a constituent of mine named Suzy. When Suzy's nephew was 1 year old, his mother no longer qualified for Medicaid. As a result, her little boy could not see a doctor for 6 months. Imagine 6 of anxiety and worry around high fevers, coughs, unexplained rashes, wondering if there was a serious illness involved. But once he was enrolled in SCHIP, Suzy's nephew got the care that he needed. Suzy put it best herself when she said, ``Children should never suffer because their parent or guardian cannot afford medical insurance.''

That is why today's legislation is so critical, Madam Speaker. During one of the most uncertain periods in our country's history, it says to 11 million of America's children that health care for you is guaranteed. It expands coverage for pregnant women and reverses arbitrary rules that keep needy children from health care they deserve. The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act is a victory for millions of children and their families. It's also a victory for us as a Nation. For when more of our children grow up healthy, our country is strengthened and the American Dream is preserved.

I urge each of my colleagues to support this legislation.

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