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America is often called the "Land of Opportunity." Why, then,
are so many Americans today not given the opportunity to acquire affordable
health insurance? The number of Americans lacking health insurance is 44
million, with projections showing the number to rise to 52 million by 2009.
At any given point over the past two years, 75 million Americans have been
uninsured for at least six months.
These statistics are astounding and absolutely unacceptable. Americans
should not be expected to live without quality, affordable healthcare,
no matter their social standing. But health insurance premiums continue
to rise!
New data shows premiums are increasing almost fourteen percent this
year, the third year of double-digit inflation. The typical family
policy costs $9,000, and the amount workers are paying for their share
has increased by almost fifty percent over the past three years.
As a Member of Congress, I have worked long and hard alongside my colleagues
to provide Americans with more options. We proposed changes
such as implementing a small business tax credit, creating FamilyCare health
coverage, more options for older Americans who lost their job or whose
employers dropped their retiree benefits, common sense insurance reform,
affordable prescription drug plans - the list is endless.
Unfortunately, my colleagues and I are still fighting for improved coverage.
While it appears we are fighting an uphill battle, I am confident common
sense will eventually prevail and we will win this war against the unconceivable
notion that all Americans should not be awarded the coverage they desperately
need and deserve. |
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