macleginn/stanford_congress_record_longer_speeches huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-11-07
Speaker: PATRICK J. MURPHY (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Penn

sylvania. Colleagues. voting "yes" today means tax incentives for Joe Frederick. a small business owner in Bucks County. Pennsylvania. who struggles with skyrocketing health care costs for his employees. It is a vote for Mrs. St. Clair. whose niece died because she couldnt get insurance. It is a vote for Jay Doroshow. who was kicked off his plan after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrigs disease. I urge a "yes" vote for our fellow Americans who want to secure affordable health insurance which cant be taken away from them when they need it most. Sixteen years have passed since we last tried to reform health care. Premiums have more than doubled. Every day in the State of Pennsylvania. 510 families are kicked off their coverage. That is every single day. Mr. Speaker. as I said. I am a proud Blue Dog Democrat. and there is universal agreement that to get our countrys fiscal house back in order. we must first get our health care spending under control. And this bill does just that. It actually reduces our deficit by $129 billion. taking important steps to rein in health care costs. But there is more work to be done. and I look forward to working with you and our leadership to accomplish this goal.
Date: 2009-11-07
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. we have heard a lot of discussion in this debate about the uninsured and the uninsurable. Often it is easiest to think about people with preexisting conditions who are uninsurable as the poor. the sick. or the jobless. Mr. Speaker. the face of the uninsurable stands before this House today in this well. As a breast cancer survivor. the sad reality of todays health care system is if I lost this job tomorrow. I could not buy health insurance coverage because I have a preexisting condition. This bill will end all that. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will make it possible to rid our country of the angst of facing illness without coverage. Passage will mean that Carol from south Florida wont face the dual tragedy of a cancer diagnosis and the loss of her job and. thus. the loss of her health care coverage. So instead of putting all of her energy into fighting cancer. like I could. Carol had to fight for her health care coverage. too. It is time to deliver on the American promise not just of liberty. but justice for all.
Date: 2009-11-07
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Madam Speaker. I thank the gentleman so much for his contribution to this legislation. to the debate in this House. and to the role he has played in informing our Members and the public about this bill. I want to begin by giving thanks. Madam Speaker. particularly on my committee. I want to thank the staff that have worked so terribly hard. Michele Varnhagen. Megan OReilly. Jody Calemine. Aaron Albright. Mere dith Regine. and Rachel Racusen. who have all supported this tremendous team and the professional staff of the Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce. and certainly to my colleagues. Chairman RANGEL and Chairman WAXMAN. and to our subcommittee chairmen. Mr. ANDREWS.
Date: 2009-11-07
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

As he has already acknowledged. when he was Chair and he went to conference many times. he could not guarantee anything. You will take into this House. if that amendment should pass. that will be an expression of this House on that subject. on that amendment. We will take that with the full dignity of that vote into that conference committee.
Date: 2009-11-07
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of this bill. H.R. 3962. the Affordable Health Care for America Act. It is a long time we should have been here. We have been trying this for so very long. You know. if this bill said anything as bad as what I have heard from the Republicans. I wouldnt support it. But it does not do that. I dont know what bill they are reading. I want to share. though. that I know this will bring relief to my constituents. In my district. there are 35.6 percent of the residents uninsured. and the adjoining district. District 32 of Texas. has about the same number. but we are on different sides for bringing that relief. The American people have heard so many untruths. they must be confused. Having access. though. to better coverage will show them what the truth is. This bill is a win for all Americans. I stand in strong support of this legislation and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.
Date: 2009-11-07
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 3962. the Affordable Healthcare for America Act. I would like to thank the Democratic Leadership and the Chairmen of the committees of jurisdiction for their unwavering commitment to this important cause. Today. we are faced with a historic opportunity to accomplish meaningful change in the lives of millions of Americans. I am in support of this bill because I believe in improving the quality of care. the accessibility of care. and the affordability of care. The status quo is unsustainable and the cost of inaction is simply too high. If we pass this legislation. we will reduce the federal deficit by an estimated $129 billion over the next ten years. If we fail to do so. we will ensure that our country continues to spend $79.274 a second on healthcare. We will continue to dedicate 17.6 percent of our gross domestic product. or $2.5 trillion a year towards healthcare expenditures. To pass this legislation would mean that an estimated 36 million Americans would gain access to health insurance. failing to do so. would mean that the 45.7 million Americans who cannot afford. or cannot gain access to healthcare. would remain without coverage. Among the 45.7 million uninsured. 1.4 million are children in my home state of Texasthis is simply unacceptable. Finally. passing this legislation would mean an end to the discriminatory practices of the health insurance industry that have devastated so many Americans. No longer will people fear having a preexisting condition will prevent them from receiving health insurance coverage. No longer will families fear the uncertainty of a catastrophic health event. or fear being driven into bankruptcy in trying to pay for the cost of care. No longer will people have to fear losing their health coverage simply for getting sick. In passing this legislation. we put an end to the days when 14.000 Americans lose their coverage every day. The time has come when we. in Congress. are faced with a decision to either change the course of this country. to shift its direction towards accessible and affordable healthcare. or continue down an unsustainable path. one wrought with uncertainty. With so many American families struggling to support themselves. I am proud to support this legislation.
Date: 2009-11-07
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise on behalf of the nearly 50 million Americans who dont have health insurance. On behalf of parents who have to choose between taking their sick child to the doctor and paying the electric bill on time. On behalf of adult children who are slowly losing their parents to Alzheimers. and yet cant afford the quality care their parents need. In a Nation as prosperous as ours. it is a shame and a tragedy that so many families suffer. watching their loved ones die. when timely tests or early care could have prevented it. American families have waited too long for the freedom and security that universal healthcare can provide. I strongly support H.R. 3962. the Affordable Health Care for America Act because this legislation tells families yes. Yes. they can afford high quality health care. Yes. they can get health insurance even if they have a preexisting condition. Yes. they can expect to be treated fairly by insurance companies. regardless of their gender or age. Yes. they can keep their health insurance. even if they get sick. And yes. we can pass health reform that protects and strengthens our economy by encouraging development and use of health information technology. generic drugs. and advanced medical devices. Its well past time for Congress to make sure that an unforeseen illness or accident doesnt mean economic ruin for American families. To stop the abuses of health insurance companies. who play games instead of paying for health care. To ensure that Americans have the freedom to change jobs or to become entrepreneurs. instead of being locked into a job they hate because it is the only way they can afford healthcare. I worked to make sure this bill bars insurance companies from charging women more just because they are women. I worked to make sure that this bill creates Collaborative Care Networks. to ensure that doctors. hospitals. and other health care providers work together to provide working families. lower income Americans. and those with chronic conditions the high quality coordinated care they need to stay healthy and out of emergency rooms. I worked to make sure this bill includes. among the choices it offers consumers. a public option that will focus on health care. not profits. Im proud of my work on this bill. because it means American families and businesses will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can access affordable. quality care when they need it. It means that my son Joaquin can grow up in a country that is a little fairer. a little more humane. and a little more secure than the one I grew up in. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote for children and families by supporting this bill.
Date: 2009-11-07
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I strongly support H.R. 3962. the Affordable Health Care for America Act. which delivers on a promise Americans have been waiting for since the New Deal. a promise that families can get the health care they need. when they need it. without facing economic ruin. I have previously spoken about the ways that this bill will help ensure access to affordable. high quality health care for American families. But another significant benefit of this legislation which has not received much attention is its promotion of highpaying research. high tech. and manufacturing jobs. Contrary to the claims that this is a "job killing bill." in fact. this bill will create thousands of jobs here in the United States. First. this bill will increase demand for healthcare workers. including doctors. nurses. nurse practitioners. physician assistants. home health workers. and more. More affordable insurance means more families getting the primary and chronic care they need instead of waiting until they need an emergency room. And it means more middle class American jobs that cant be exported. Second. this bill will continue the investments begun in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. also known as the stimulus bill. to expand the use of health information technology. Health IT will help better manage the quality and cost of care patients receive by eliminating duplicative tests and ensuring that patients dont receive the wrong medicine or the wrong dose. And investment in health IT creates jobsjobs in hardware production. software design. and computer training. When we invest in quality health care for all Americans. we are investing in jobs. Finally. this bill will promote more of what America already does so well: medical research. By allowing more Americans access to health insurance. this bill will increase the demand for advanced medical technologies that are manufactured right here in America. And by creating a process for the Food and Drug Administration to approve socalled "biosimilar" drugs. this bill will encourage competition in the cutting edge field of biologic drugs. This new class of medicines will help cure and treat more Americans at lower costs. And the promise of protection for intellectual property and an FDA structure to approve biosimilars will result in increased investment in this industry. which already provides thousands of wellpaying jobs in California and across the country. I hope to work with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. the Commissioner of the FDA. and likeminded colleagues in Congress to ensure that these important research and manufacturing jobs stay right here in the United States. In sum. this bill preserves and promotes the strength of the American health care system: innovation. And it fixes the shortcomings: spending too much while caring for too few. If we fail to pass this bill. we fail American families. and we fail the American economy. As a champion of both. I strongly support this bill.
Date: 2009-11-07
Speaker: LINDA T. SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to oppose language in the Republican substitute that threatens the wellbeing of patients in hospitals across the country. The goal of the underlying legislation is to provide affordable. quality healthcare to every American. According to The Institute of Medicine. nearly 100.000 people die every year because of medical errors in Americas hospitals. I cannot understand how reducing the accountability of our healthcare practitioners would lower that number or improve the quality of healthcare in this country. The facts are clear. Those states that restrict damage awards and limit access to courts for patients injured by negligent doctors have seen limited or no reduction in healthcare costs. Instead. many have seen an increase in the cost of malpractice insurance. In fact. for every malpractice damage award. 3 to 7 people die due to medical errors. While we all share a goal that doctors practice medicine with confidence and avoid needless tests. we should not limit access to justice where reckless action permanently alters the lives of patients and their families. Make no mistake. thats what the Republican substitute would do. If we want to lower healthcare costs. let us instead cut down on medical error by encouraging adoption of best practices. standardizing safety procedures that are proven to reduce infection. and lowering malpractice premiums by creating more competition in the insurance industry. I listened to the Americans who visited Washington this week. Many spoke about a fear of monopolies and in favor of increased competition. I agree. Lets make the insurance companies comply with antitrust laws and operate on the same competitive playing field as other American businesses. One of the great guarantees the founders provided in our Constitution was the ability to address grievances in a court of law. Our courts remain a great equalizer that allows every American the opportunity to seek justice when wronged. Limiting this guarantee goes against that spirit and leaves grieving and injured families without access to justice. I ask my colleagues to join me in opposing this substitute.
Date: 2009-11-07
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

Mr. Speaker. tonight. Im thinking about my grandmother. and all the grandmothers out thereback in November of 2003 when the Republicans passed their Medicare Prescription Drug bill. they put a provision in there known as the donut hole. And thats why I voted against that bill because I knew that my Grandma needed her prescriptions yet couldnt afford them because of this gap in coverage. And they made it illegal for the Secretary of HHS to negotiate the prices of drugs. even though we in Congress allow the VA and DOD to negotiate drug prices. Yet this bill closes that prescription drug loophole. It makes it impossible for insurance companies to deny people health care because of a preexisting condition. and it allows the Secretary of HHS to negotiate drug prices. which WILL help to bring down cost. Secondly. one of the most family friendly provisions in this bill: families can keep their children on their health care insurance policy until age 27! This will be a great assistance to young adults studying in graduate school. or those just starting out in their career and barely making enough to get by. To whom God has given much. much is expected. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill to reform health care in our country and make sure access to health care is a right for every American. not a privilege.
Date: 2009-11-07
Speaker: GEORGE MILLER (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: California

I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Speaker. if the Republicans health care plan was a plan for a fire department. they would rush into a burning building. and they would rush out and leave everybody behind. If their plan was an evacuation plan. it would be like Katrina. When they got all done evacuating people. they left them all behind. They say their plan is inexpensive. They say their plan saves somebody money. But 10 years from now there are as many uninsured as there are now. At the end of their watch. after 12 years of control of this Congress. 8 years of control of the White House at the same time. they left behind 37 million Americans without health insurance. That is what they left behind on their watch. Now they come forth with a plan for the future. and over the next decade they are going to leave behind 50 million Americans. Want to buy it? Want to try it? Want to sell it? Come on. America. Buy this one. You are guaranteed to be left behind if you are left behind today. What a plan. Ha. God save us.
Date: 2009-11-18
Speaker: LORETTA SANCHEZ (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Cali

fornia. Mr. Speaker. I will not be speaking on Rev. Jackson this morning. but I will be submitting something for the RECORD. as I know that my good colleague Mr. COHEN of Tennessee will also. Actually. today I rise to talk about something I think is very important. and I think that Jesse Jackson and others who have worked so hard for the community would care about. I rise to recognize National Loan Modification Scam Awareness Month which was established to stop predators around the country from taking advantage of our constituents who are at risk of foreclosure. Currently. in California. the foreclosure rate is 10.8 percent. Experts predict that nationwide there will be 8.1 million foreclosures by the year 2012. and given this environment. loan modification scams are proliferating at a rapid pace. Every day. more homeowners are falling prey to slick advertising that promises to help them stay in their homes if they pay a third party. NeighborWorks America and their affiliates around the country are working to combat loan modification scams. To do so. they have launched a national public education campaign to help homeowners protect themselves against loan modification scams. find trusted help. and report illegal activity to authorities. I urge my colleagues to support National Loan Modification Scam Awareness Month.
Date: 2009-12-08
Speaker: AL GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank the Chair and the ranking member. I would like to quickly give 200.000 reasons why we should be concerned about this incident200.000. Thats the number of persons from the Philippines who served with the United States military in World War II. The Philippines have earned our respect. and theyve earned our necessity to step forward in times of difficulty for them. We owe it to ourselves to make sure that injustice in the Philippines is addressed. because injustice there is a threat to justice here. just as a threat to justice for us was a threat to justice for them. I support this resolution. and I strongly urge my colleagues to vote in favor of it. I thank you.
Date: 2009-12-08
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I would like to thank the vice Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker. this resolution discusses type 1 diabetes. which is typically the early onset of juvenile diabetes in some of us. but it does sometimes affect older children. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic. genetically determined. and debilitating disease caused by an autoimmune attack that destroys the insulinproducing beta cells of the pancreas. and it affects every organ system. As many as 3 million Americans suffer from type 1 diabetes. with more than 15.000 children being diagnosed with the disease annually. Diabetes is one of the most costly chronic diseases. costing the United States economy more than $174 billion annually in direct and indirect health care costs. On average. individuals with diabetes pay $13.000 in annual health care costs compared to $2.600 for individuals without diabetes. Insulin treats but does not cure this potentially deadly disease nor does it prevent the complications of diabetes. which include blindness. heart attacks. kidney failure. strokes. nerve damage. and amputations. Diabetes is also the leading cause of legal blindness in workingage adults. and nearly all of type 1 diabetes patients exhibit some degree of eye disease after living with diabetes for 15 to 20 years. A special diabetes program was created that provides significant support to the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. which is a nationwide network involving 163 clinical sites in 43 States. in order to address the number of individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and to find a cure. The National Institutes of Health has established six goal areas to guide type 1 diabetes research. which are focused on the reduction. prevention. and cure of type 1 diabetes and its complications. The National Institutes of Health devoted $433 million in fiscal year 2009 for type 1 diabetes research. Congress currently provides $150 million annually. through fiscal year 2011. for the Special Statutory Funding Program for type 1 diabetes research. Promising advances have been made in determining root causes of the disease. and finding a cure will depend on funded research initiatives and on training the next generation of diabetes researchers. Congress can do more to advance the research on type 1 diabetes. This resolution calls for the doubling of annual NIH funding to meet leading researchers estimates of funding needed to meet NIHs six goals related to type 1 diabetes. I am pleased to sponsor this resolution with the 101 other Members who are calling for research funding to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. I want to thank all of my cosponsors. including both of my colleaguesthe vice Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Congresswoman CAPPS. and also Congressman TERRY from Nebraska. who is also. like I said. a cosponsor of the resolution. Hopefully. our national health care plan will actually help those who have either type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes to make sure they can go see physicians when they need to.