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

Floor Speech

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Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I thank my good friend and colleague from Florida.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2 and this rule that will provide millions of children across America with affordable health care at a time when families have been particularly hard hit by the economy. What good news for all Americans that one of the first bills President Obama will sign will be one that improves access to quality, affordable health care and reduces the cost of health care for families.

More affordable health care is central to our economic recovery and it is fundamental for families. A healthy child is more likely to succeed in life. A healthy child is a healthy student. Healthy students become productive adults. A healthy child means more productive parents who do not miss work.

Here we ensure that newborn babies receive the medical checkups and immunizations they need, ensure that toddlers and children are taken care of as they grow, ensure that we all save money through preventive care, particularly diabetes and asthma. Yet, despite all that we understand about the importance of healthy kids, millions of children and their families cannot afford----

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I yield the gentlelady an additional 15 seconds.

Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Families are working hard to make ends meet, but
they are coming up short when it comes to health care.

I would especially like to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who never gave up and kept her promise that in the first few days of a new Congress with a new President the health of America's kids and the pocketbooks of hardworking American families would be paramount.

Suffering through President Bush's opposition over the past years has been very costly and we have lost ground. In Florida alone, over 800,000 children lack health insurance, and that's the second highest rate in the U.S. It's more than the population of some States and it is growing. The lack of affordable health care for these working families is making it more expensive for everyone.

Families are working hard to make ends meet, but they are coming up short when it comes to health care. This bill makes it easier for parents by eliminating costly bureaucratic red tape. When more kids visit a doctor's office for medical care, we also reduce the strain on crowded local emergency rooms and cost of health care for everyone.

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