WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps’ opening statement, as prepared for delivery, for the Health Subcommittee Hearing on ‘Living Without Health Insurance:  Why Every American Needs Coverage.’

Statement of the Honorable Lois Capps

Health Subcommittee Hearing on the Uninsured

April 25, 2007

Thank you, Chairman Pallone, for holding this important hearing during “Cover the Uninsured Week.”

Over 46 million Americans are currently uninsured.

We know that lack of access to affordable health coverage means delaying or even avoiding important medical care.  As a nurse, I have a responsibility to provide the best possible care to my patients.  As a Member of Congress, I translate this into a responsibility to provide ways for all of my constituents, and all Americans, to access the best possible care.

But this Administration has ignored our nation’s uninsured.  Instead of supporting initiatives that would expand coverage, we find them promoting risky health savings accounts and association health plans.  These would pave the way to poorer health coverage for Americans, not improved health coverage.

Congress must act now to expand access to health coverage.  And we must do it in a way that promotes primary and preventive health care.

I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Health Partnership through Creative Federalism Act, introduced by our colleague Tammy Baldwin.

Unfortunately, our country has dug itself in a hole so deep that I’m afraid there isn’t one simple solution to the puzzle of covering the uninsured.  However, it’s been encouraging to watch as individual states begin to take their own initiatives to improve health coverage for their residents.  And I think we need to be creative just as the bill proposes because there are multiple ways in which the federal government can partner with states to devise programs that are best fitted for different populations.

As a federal Representative, I pledge myself to improving health access for all citizens, but I think it’s important for us to look more closely at the models being talked about and even implemented in different states.

In California, Senator Sheila Kuehl has introduced a bill to provide coverage to all of our state’s residents through a state health insurance plan.  And what I especially like about it is that it relies upon regional directors who can tailor the program to meet local populations’ needs.

So again, I think it is so very important that we continue this conversation and really take proactive steps to encourage engagement by Congress, States and local governments to improve health care access for all.

Thank you, I yield back.

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.