Madam Speaker, beyond the walls of this Capitol there are millions of Americans who can't afford health insurance, and they live in fear of getting sick. Millions more are discriminated against by insurance companies because they have pre-existing medical conditions. In my own life, as a child and as an adult, I have lived without health insurance. A dear, dear niece of mine has a pre-existing condition that makes her uninsurable. Passing health insurance reform is not a political game - it is personal. It is about the lives of real people.

When we pass this bill lives will be saved, families will be protected, and millions of Americans will no longer live in fear. Today I will vote to end discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions. Today I will vote to extend health care to 32 million Americans. And when this bill becomes law health care security will finally become a reality for the American people.