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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, gave the following statement on the House floor this afternoon urging his colleagues to support H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. The New Jersey congressman is the author of the legislation. If the legislation is passed today, it will be sent to President Obama's desk for his signature later today.
"Thank you, Madame/Mister Speaker. On this historic day, I am reminded of a quote from the Pulitzer Prize winning American author, Pearl Buck. She said, 'If our American way of life fails the child, it fails us all.'
"While I am hopeful this day will be one of celebration, it comes nearly two years after Deamonte Driver, a young boy from suburban Maryland, lost his life because his family lost its health insurance.
"This simply should not happen in America. And if Congress does not act today, I cannot help but think of the millions of other children whose lives will be put at risk simply because they do not have access to health coverage.
"There can be no greater cause or worthier goal than protecting the well-being of our nation’s children. I emphasize this point now, at a time when parents are forced to make tough financial decisions---do they keep their families' health insurance or do they put food on the table at night. During this economic recession, these kinds of decisions are unfortunately becoming more common. Over the past year alone, 4.1 million people have lost their employer-based health care coverage, including 1.2 million children.
"Today, we have an extraordinary opportunity to ensure that these children don’t fall through the cracks. This is a good bill. In fact, there are 11 million reasons to support the bill today. With its passage, 11 million children will have access to the health care coverage they need to live healthy and strong lives. These children are our nation’s future. Let's support them today by voting yes."
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