Affordable Health Care For America Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, passage of this bill will move us closer to the realization that all men, women, and children in this country can have access to quality health care. It will reduce the waiting time in emergency rooms and shorten the length of time you have to wait to see a doctor. It makes it possible for people to have health insurance who have never had any before in their lifetime and to see a doctor on a regular basis. It recognizes the needs of people with disabilities. It seriously increases the number of community health centers, protects disproportionate share and teaching hospitals, and promotes health awareness and education. But, most importantly, it prolongs and enhances life, as well as its quality.

This is the most significant health legislation passed in this country since Medicare and Medicaid. Residents of my district have been calling all day asking that I would vote for them, that I would vote for Illinois, that I would vote for America. I tell them, yes, I will, because I believe that health care ought to be a right and not a privilege.

I wanted a single-payer system, but I will vote for H.R. 3962 because it is good for Illinois, it is good for me, it is good for you, and it is good for America.

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