Mr. BLUMENAUER. Today we have an historic opportunity, more than a century after President Teddy Roosevelt first raised this subject, to establish the foundation for health care reform.
We have some of finest health care in the world, but for too many Americans, they're unable to get it, millions are uninsured, hundreds of thousands of people with health insurance are going bankrupt each year from medical costs.
Today, the House will enact landmark legislation to save Medicare, improve quality, which is not just fully paid for but actually helps reduce the deficit. Americans will enjoy benefits not just in the future but this year. More tax credits to help small business provide care, kids able to be on their parents' insurance until age 26, help for seniors paying for prescription drug costs.
But the real story is not numbers and slogans. Today, Congress will finally give Americans the health care they need and deserve.
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