“We take March 22-29 to mark the 7^th anniversary of Covering the Uninsured Week, a period devoted to dialogue about reforming our health care system. Health care costs continue to rise and across the nation, more than 47 million Americans, including 9.4 million children are uninsured.  In our state, one out of every four Texans is uninsured.

 

My colleagues and I have already taken the first steps towards providing affordable health care for all Americans, and have already expanded access to more low income children by reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program was reauthorized which now covers 11 million children. At a time when many Americans are losing their jobs and their employer sponsored health insurance, Congress included COBRA subsidies in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help families maintain health care coverage.

 

The impact of the uninsured on the entire health care system continues to grow. Approximately $56 billion in uncompensated care for the uninsured is absorbed annually by the health system, driving up the cost of insurance for everyone. Congress should enact legislation to provide all Americans with health insurance, and I will take every opportunity as a member of the Health Subcommittee to put in place policies that provide as many people as possible with quality and affordable health insurance.”

 

Covered the Uninsured Week isa project by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is a national campaign to raise awareness about the number of Americans living without health insurance and make the case for reform that expands coverage.

 

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