Our Broken Health Care System

OUR BROKEN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM -- (House of Representatives - July 29, 2009)

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Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, health care reform is the single most important step we can take to help families and rebuild our economy. Our health care system is broken, and only a comprehensive fix will end the suffering of so many from sickness and financial insecurity.

Today, I want to share the story of Alicia Varela, a 56-year-old resident in my district in Colorado. Like many Americans, Alicia followed her dreams, bravely left her home, and moved to the United States--legally--where, like many other Americans, she's paid into the system, and like many Americans, her employer does not provide health insurance.

With common but pricey preexisting arthritis and blood clot conditions, Alicia could not afford the high prices quoted by private insurance companies. But when tragedy struck and she became seriously ill, like many Americans, Alicia went to the emergency room as a last resort. By the time she was rushed into surgery, her situation was so severe that doctors removed a tumor that weighed 10 pounds. She isn't 100 percent better and she doesn't know what to do.

Her salary, while too high to qualify for Medicaid, is nowhere near enough to cover the high costs for a hospital stay. She can't afford costly medications and copes each day with pain and financial worries.

I encourage my colleagues to join me to help Alicia and many Americans like her.

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