On Saturday, November 7th, Representative Marcia L. Fudge spoke on behalf of her constituents for health care reform legislation.  


Transcript of her remarks:
There comes a time, Madam Speaker, when we must choose that which benefits the greater good or look for selfish reasons to support the status quo. Now is that time and I choose the greater good. When I go home, Madam Speaker, I will be able to say that I was asked to make health care more affordable and I said yes. This bill makes health care affordable for 36 million more americans by ensuring that working class citizens will never have to pay more than 12% of their income on health care premiums. And that people whose incomes are 400% of poverty or less will receive their premiums in the form of subsidies. More than 163,000 households in my district alone will benefit from these subsidies.

When asked to increase access to care, I said yes.

Yes to the people of america who will no longer worry about being denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

Yes to the people of America whose families can now have regular checkups and free preventive care.

Madam Speaker, I said yes to those who for the first time will have a family doctor instead of using the emergency room for routine matters.

When asked to help the laid off worker, the small business owner, the working poor and those to can't make ends meet in this very struggling economy, I said yes.

When asked to ensure that those who have health care today but may be dropped tomorrow are taken care of, I said yes.

When asked to exhibit the courage needed to fight for change, I said yes.

When the history of the 111th Congress is written, I choose to be in that number that said yes to the people of America.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.