Floor Speeches

Health care reform is the single most important step we can take to help families and rebuild our economy.  From the college grad no longer covered by her parents’ insurance, to the laid-off worker forced to stop going to the doctor to afford groceries for his family, to the cancer patient fighting not just cancer, but also his insurance company to cover costly drugs and treatments—our health care system is broken and ONLY a comprehensive fix will end the suffering of so many from sickness and financial insecurity.

Today, I want to the share the story of Aurora Varela, a 56-year old resident of my district.  Like many new Americans, Aurora followed her dreams, bravely left her home, and moved to the United States—legally—and has become a full-fledged member of American society—paying taxes and contributing to her community.

And like many Americans, Aurora’s employer does not provide health insurance.  With common, but pricey pre-existing arthritis and blood clot conditions, Aurora could not afford the high prices quoted by private insurance companies.  With no insurance, she avoided regular check-ups and only went to community funded clinics with minor complaints or illnesses.  

But when tragedy struck, and she became seriously ill, like many Americans, Aurora went to the emergency room as a last resort.  By the time she was rushed into surgery, her situation was so severe that doctors removed a tumor that weighed ten pounds.

Thankfully, Aurora survived her surgery, but she isn’t 100% better and she doesn’t know what to do.  Her salary, while too high to qualify for Medicaid, is nowhere near enough to cover the high costs of her hospital stay.  She is allergic to aspirin and morphine, can’t afford costly medications and copes each day with intense pain.  

Today, like many Americans, Aurora lives in pain, waiting for THIS CONGRESS to deliver on its promises and provide relief.  

We must not let this tremendous opportunity to reform our nation’s broken health care system pass us by.  I encourage my colleagues to join me in this most important fight.  America cannot wait.