Raul Martinez Statement on "Healthy Americans Act"
Posted: Jul 10, 2008Hialeah, FL – Former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, candidate for Florida’s 21st congressional district, released the following statement today regarding the introduction of the “Healthy Americans Act” by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., and Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo.:
“Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz and Congresswoman Emerson have introduced landmark bipartisan legislation that guarantees affordable, private health care for all Americans. If we are going to help working families in South Florida it begins with supporting universal healthcare and I wholeheartedly support this bill. In addition to giving Americans choice and portability by breaking the link between employment and insurance, this legislation is fiscally responsible.
“Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz has a strong track record of doing what is best for the country and for South Florida, and I hope to provide the same positive leadership for South Florida that she has demonstrated throughout her tenure in Congress. Unfortunately, Lincoln Diaz-Balart has not demonstrated the same leadership that Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz has in achieving universal healthcare, and I call on him to change course and strongly support the ‘Healthy Americans Act’.
“No bill is perfect, but is critical that we begin to solve the health care crisis. As I applaud Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz for her leadership on this issue, I am equally disappointed in Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s total disregard for South Floridians’ healthcare needs.”
Lincoln Diaz-Balart has constantly voted against providing Americans the healthcare they need:
• Voted with Bush in Opposition to Reauthorizing and Fully Funding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program
[HR 976, Vote #982, 10/18/07; HR 3963, Vote #1009, 10/25/07]
• Supported Budget That Underfunded America’s Health Needs By $20 Billion
[HCR376, Vote #158, 5/18/06]
• Supported Cutting Health Programs by $976 Million
[HR 3010, Vote #598, 11/17/05]
• Opposed Health Care Coverage Protections for Cancer & Diabetes
[HR 525, Vote #425, 7/26/05]
• Supported Allowing Insurers to Cancel Coverage Based on an Employee’s Health
“Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz has a strong track record of doing what is best for the country and for South Florida, and I hope to provide the same positive leadership for South Florida that she has demonstrated throughout her tenure in Congress. Unfortunately, Lincoln Diaz-Balart has not demonstrated the same leadership that Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz has in achieving universal healthcare, and I call on him to change course and strongly support the ‘Healthy Americans Act’.
“No bill is perfect, but is critical that we begin to solve the health care crisis. As I applaud Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz for her leadership on this issue, I am equally disappointed in Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s total disregard for South Floridians’ healthcare needs.”
Lincoln Diaz-Balart has constantly voted against providing Americans the healthcare they need:
• Voted with Bush in Opposition to Reauthorizing and Fully Funding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program
[HR 976, Vote #982, 10/18/07; HR 3963, Vote #1009, 10/25/07]
• Supported Budget That Underfunded America’s Health Needs By $20 Billion
[HCR376, Vote #158, 5/18/06]
• Supported Cutting Health Programs by $976 Million
[HR 3010, Vote #598, 11/17/05]
• Opposed Health Care Coverage Protections for Cancer & Diabetes
[HR 525, Vote #425, 7/26/05]
• Supported Allowing Insurers to Cancel Coverage Based on an Employee’s Health
