Floor Statement on the Urgency of Health Care Reform - July 30, 2009

REMARKS BY
THE HONORABLE ANDRÉ CARSON
FLOOR REMARKS ON HEALTH CARE REFORM

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak to the urgency of health care reform. I want to share the story of Holly, an Indianapolis woman who has courageously fought and won two bouts with breast cancer. Thankfully, Holly's medical costs were largely covered by insurance. While she praises the care and treatment she received, Holly is rightly worried about the future.

Due to her history of recurring cancer, Holly will be uninsurable if she ever loses her job and, with it, her employer-based health insurance plan. Holly and thousands of people across my district know that the status quo will leave millions more uninsured, in some cases even fighting for their lives.

We must push forward with overhauling our health care system, not only for the 47 million who are uninsured but for the millions more who will be added to these rolls unless we act. Now is not the time for fear-mongering. Now is not the time for political posturing or for narcissistic behavior. We must be Representatives in the true sense of the word and act on behalf of the American people.