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UW Global Health Disparities Conference
UW, Johnson Hall
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
May, 17 2008

There is truth in this phrase:  Knowledge is power.  So, my goal today is to arm you with knowledge in hopes it will empower you to answer the call of this conference of: Translating Knowledge into Action.

When I entered Congress in 1989, I believed that universal health care coverage was at hand. I believed it again in 1994, until the Republican Party took control of Congress.  Since then, we have done everything except the right thing, which is to pass universal health care for every American. 

We are the only industrialized nation that tells its citizens to go it alone. And you can see the outcome – 47 million Americans without health care; millions more with inadequate coverage, and everyone digging deeper and deeper into their pockets to pay.  What we are seeing today in the spike in gasoline prices is nothing compared to what we have been living for the last ten years in health care. It cannot continue; there’s simply not enough money in the pocket of the American people to pay the medical bills. And, there is no reason for this. 

Health care should be a right, not a privilege in America. And unless we change, health care will soon be a luxury for the wealthy and out of reach for the rest of us. Health care has been one of my passions throughout my congressional service. This Congress, I again introduced HR 1200, to create an American universal health care plan. Other Members have introduced similar bills. 

My friend John Conyers asked me to join him on H.R. 676, and I did, because we need an American health care plan, not the John Conyers or Jim McDermott plan.  And we cannot wait any longer. Over the last decade there has been little hope of passing universal health care, but I believe that goal is finally within reach. With a stronger Democratic majority in the House and Senate, we can do what is long overdue, provide universal health care to every American.

Thank you.