Health Care Reform

Floor Speech

Health Care Reform

(Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, a new Gallup poll says that 39 percent of Americans want their Member of Congress to vote against a health care overhaul while 37 percent want their Representative to support it. An Associated Press poll shows 49 percent oppose a health care overhaul. The numbers show a deep division in the Nation, one that was evident in August townhall meetings where the American people had their say. These were people who took the time to read the House bill and decide against it because of cost, complication and controversy.

Yet there are elements in all the proposals before Congress on which people can agree, and it's time to go back to the drawing board and be inclusive. As a former health care provider, I'd very much like to be a part of the solutions that will help the situation without breaking the bank. Tort reform is a must to reduce the cost of health care. Allowing insurers to compete across State lines will increase competition and thereby lower costs. Addressing workforce issues is crucial as baby boomer doctors, nurses and technicians retire.

Let's look at the approximately 13 million Americans out of 303 million who don't have an option for insurance and find a way to help the population that actually needs our help.

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