Press Releases

“We cannot afford to wait”

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree made the following remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this morning:
 
“I rise today with tremendous hope and full confidence that we are finally moving forward with legislation that will put our health care system on the right track and bring quality, affordable health care to all Americans.“

"I strongly support H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act. I believe that this is the right step for families, for small businesses, and for people in Maine and all across the country.“

But I also have a warning.  A warning that comes from my experience in the Maine Legislature.  A warning that comes from taking on the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies and the entrenched special interests that have done everything they can to block health care reform for a generation.

“Mr. Speaker, if we go home for recess without passing this bill, we will give the special interests and their lobbyists five weeks to dump millions of dollars into ad campaigns that spread misinformation and fear and confusion.“

We will give them five weeks to do everything they can to kill the best chance we have had in our lifetime for significant health care reform.

“We must pass this bill now. We absolutely cannot afford to wait.“

I look forward to going back to my district in August to tell the good people of Maine that we didn’t let them down.”