Jan Schakowsky

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1391, a resolution congratulating and commending Israel for its accession to membership in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD. On May 10th, it was announced that OECD member states had unanimously voted to extend membership to Israel. This landmark vote recognizes Israel's economic strength, and it is a clear victory over efforts to marginalize and delegitimize the country. Israel's accession to the OECD will speed its economic integration into the global community and provide increased opportunities for foreign investment. Despite living under the constant threat of terror and war, Israel has developed one of the world's most robust economies. Last year, Israel boasted one of few economies in the world to show growth during the economic crisis. OECD has predicted a 3.5 percent increase in Israel's economy in 2010. I visited Israel in early April and saw a modern, vibrant economy driven by scientific and technological advancement. While international attention remains fixed on the politics of the region, the OECD vote is a critical recognition of Israel's robust economy and ongoing innovation. Last week, I joined over 30 of my colleagues in signing a letter to President Obama, thanking him for his administration's strong support of Israel's bid, as well as a letter to OECD Secretary-General Angel Guria expressing appreciation for the OECD vote. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support Israel's accession to the OECD, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the community of Des Plaines on their 175th anniversary. I am extremely proud to represent the ``City of Destiny''--a hub of ethnic diversity, a home to hardworking residents, and a thriving business center that has drawn domestic and international companies alike. Des Plaines' 175 dynamic years have made it one of the premier communities in the Chicagoland area to live, to work and to do business--a testament to the individuals who make up the rich fabric of the community. Since 1833, when pioneers first came to Des Plaines in search of a place to build their homes, their families and their futures, the city has provided opportunities for innovation, creativity and growth. Over the past 175 years, immigrants and native-born Americans have come to Des Plaines, attracted by its outstanding schools, its entrepreneurial ethic, and its diversity. The sense of community in Des Plaines is one that residents cherish. Whether it is organizing to ensure an accurate census count or working to deal with the impacts of the Des Plaines River flooding, people routinely come together to help each other and promote the city's interests. Des Plaines is truly a great place to live. From the beginning, the elected leaders of Des Plaines recognized the need to build a strong transportation network, so the city is connected outward in terms of business and travel. And from the beginning, the city has recognized the importance of creating a livable community, with its own art and theater guilds, recreational system, and cultural activities. I have long enjoyed a great working relationship with the representatives of the City of Des Plaines, including former Mayor Anthony Arredia and now with Mayor Martin Moylan. I want to congratulate them and all the people of Des Plaines for maintaining the spirit which helped create Des Plaines and ensuring that the city reaches new heights in the 21st century. I wish the community of Des Plaines the best in the coming 175 years and look forward to working with you to assure your continued success.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the U.S.-Israel Missile Defense Cooperation and Support Act. Too many Israeli families live under the daily threat of rocket attacks from Hezbollah and Hamas. President Obama's decision to provide $205 million in support of the Iron Dome rocket defense system will help Israel defend its citizens against these deadly terrorist attacks. I traveled to Israel last month, and I believe the status quo in the Middle East is unsustainable. Lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians will only be possible if Israel can ensure the security of its population. And that is why U.S. support for defensive weapons systems like Iron Dome is so important. This legislation clearly demonstrates that the United States Congress and President Obama will not compromise when it comes to Israel's security. I am proud to support this legislation, and I want to thank its sponsors.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize an extraordinary group of students in Skokie, Illinois. I would like to recognize 6th grade students Lucas Brace, Alexander Brown, Soretti Donka, Lily Griffin, J.D. Kim, Rachel Sison, Kevin Thurman, Patricia Valdepenas, and Tessa Waters, as well as their SPINOUT reading teacher, Ms. Yolanda Toni. These sixth grade students were inspired, after reading Greg Mortensen's book Three Cups of Tea, to collect pennies from their classmates at Fairview South School for the charity Pennies for Peace. Ms. Toni's nine students worked with the school's Student Council and teacher sponsors Ms. Katherine MacLennan and Ms. Christina Sylvester. They made presentations to each grade level about the program and encouraged other students at the school to participate. Over two months, the students raised an impressive $1,524.26 for Pennies for Peace. They wrote letters to me and other elected officials explaining their program and urging us to also work to promote education for all children throughout the world. Pennies for Peace is a fantastic charity, founded by Mortensen, that encourages students to collect their pennies, and, one cent at a time, to support education around the world. A penny might not seem like much money, but the students at Fairview South School demonstrated how quickly they can add up. This money will go to change the lives of students in Pakistan and Afghanistan and bring access to education and opportunity to girls and boys across the world. The Fairview South students recognize that children in many places around the world do not have the same opportunities to attend school and gain an education as do kids in Skokie. Two students in the class wrote to me, and they eloquently argued that education is one of the most powerful tools we have to combat poverty, hopelessness, and violence. One student wrote, ``I know how it feels to want a good education that can get me further in life.'' Another said, ``Can you imagine what it would be like if your children were unable to be educated? The luxury of elementary schools can indeed be taken for granted.'' These students know that helping girls and boys throughout the world, particularly in war-torn or impoverished countries, is one of the investments we can make. Not only did the students at Fairview South raise an impressive number of pennies, but I hope that this program has also turned them into lifetime philanthropists. By participating in Pennies for Peace, students were able to help children in Pakistan and Afghanistan while also learning the invaluable lesson that even a small amount of money can make a big difference. Again, I would like to thank the students and their teacher for their work with Pennies for Peace.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to express my strong support for H.R. 5160, the Haiti Economic Lift Program Act of 2010. I would like to thank my colleagues Congressmen Rangel, Levin, and Camp for introducing this important bipartisan legislation, which will expand trade preferences to Haiti in the wake of January's devastating earthquake. In the immediate aftermath of the January 12 earthquake, we saw images of unimaginable devastation from Haiti, followed by an unprecedented outpouring of international goodwill. Nearly five months after the earthquake, the situation in Haiti remains extremely critical. Thousands of people remain displaced from their homes and livelihoods. I traveled to Port au Prince in early March, and I was inspired by the hope and courage of the Haitian people, even in the face of unimaginable loss. Even as we continue to work to ensure that medical care, shelter, and sanitation supplies reach Haitians affected by the earthquake, we must also turn our attention to Haiti's future, and help Haitians rebuild a stronger country. January's earthquake not only damaged individual livelihoods, it demolished Haiti's already precarious economy. This legislation is an important first step toward putting Haiti back on the road toward economic development. By providing incentives for trade and investment in Haiti's textile sector, this legislation will help to create jobs for Haitians struggling to recover from the earthquake. I am very grateful to the Committee on Ways and Means for consulting with the domestic industry, listening to the concerns of American manufacturers, and crafting this bill so that it will benefit workers both in Haiti and in the United States. In addition, this bill continues the International Labor Organization's monitoring program, ensuring that the factories benefitting from U.S. trade preferences respect the fundamental rights of their workers. Mr. Speaker, Haiti faces a long road ahead. On January 11, 2010, Haiti was already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere; a day later, the nation was left to cope with horrific devastation, loss of life, and trauma. This bill is one way we can help Haitians rebuild their country and grow their economy. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1213, which recognizes the need to improve the performance of American students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. In 2006, 4.5 percent of students in the United States graduated from college with a STEM-related diploma. By comparison, 33 percent of students in China graduated in the STEM field. The United States has been a global leader in technology and innovation for decades--but we will quickly fall behind unless our country encourages more young people to pursue STEM careers. We must take an all hands on deck approach to improve our national STEM outlook. National Lab Day helps drive young students' curiosity for science and technology by encouraging hands-on projects in the classroom that prove the sciences are fun. We must work to ensure that high schoolers, particularly young women and at-risk students, take college prep courses in science and math that prepare them for future careers as scientists. And we must stand by young scientists while they are in college to see that they graduate with a STEM diploma in hand. Improving STEM opportunities both professionally and in the classroom has long been a priority for me, and I continue to be amazed by the type of work that is happening in my own district. For example, Polyera, a nanotech company in Skokie, Illinois, is working to develop polymer inks for organic photovoltaics, or printed solar cells. Imagine a company that's able to print off solar-powered cells just as easily as printing off a newspaper. Nanotechnology is an absolutely incredible step forward, but what I get excited about, especially when I'm talking to the next generation of potential scientists, is that they are already thinking about the next big thing. A cure for cancer, putting an astronaut on Mars, or finding new sources of renewable energy--these are challenges that will be solved by today's STEM student. There is a place for initiatives that motivate students to pursue STEM throughout their educational careers. With targeted action, like that encouraged by National Lab Day, we can remain global leaders in this vital field. Again, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1213.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, Rabbi, I think this is probably the first time that Bill Cosby has been part of the morning prayer. Certainly it is the first time his grandmother has been part of the prayer. It is with great pride that I rise to welcome Rabbi Dov Hillel Klein to our Nation's Capital as guest chaplain. Rabbi Klein works in my hometown of Evanston, Illinois, where he is a widely respected member of the community as the district director of Lubavitch Chabad. Rabbi Klein has had a profound impact on Chabad, not only in Evanston, but throughout the United States. He was one of the pioneers in creating Chabad on university campuses in the United States when he brought his ministry to the students at Northwestern University. Because of his continued efforts, today Chabad is on 140 campuses throughout the United States. Rabbi Klein also serves an invaluable role in our community as one of the founders and now senior chaplain for the Evanston Police Department, where he accompanies officers in squad cars on patrol and is called upon for crisis intervention. In fact, his work with law enforcement officers around town has earned him the nickname, ``Rabbi Cop.'' For all that he has done for our community, I am honored to welcome Rabbi Klein and his sons, Avramy and Levi, who are in the gallery to Congress and to thank him for his wonderful work.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, today marks the 40th year in which the United States has set aside a day to reflect upon our responsibility to protect the environment and preserve it for future generations. In 2007, the scientific community confirmed that the evidence of warming is ``unequivocal.'' The consensus of this finding should not be understated. Global warming is real and human activity is the main cause. Consider these facts: The 10 warmest years on record have all been since 1990. Worldwide, 2005 was the hottest of all. In the United States, 2008 was the warmest year ever. These rising temperatures have been accompanied by many changes. Hurricanes are more severe. Water levels are rising. Droughts are becoming longer. Mountain glaciers are receding around the world. While these facts are daunting, the good news is that there is still time to enact policies that will curb the harmful impacts of climate change. The House of Representatives took an important step last year, when we passed legislation that will put caps on the amount of greenhouse gases we emit into the air each year. It also facilitates the research and development of renewable energy sources that will not only reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but also create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. On this Earth Day, I also want to reiterate my commitment to ensuring that Congress fully funds Great Lakes clean-up programs. The Great Lakes are a national treasure and having spent my entire life living in or near Chicago, I have a tremendous connection to the Great Lakes; my home in Evanston is only a few blocks from Lake Michigan. As anyone who has spent any considerable amount of time in a Great Lake state knows, the Lakes are more than just a group of fresh water lakes--they play a significant part in shaping our way of life, our traditions, and our future. In addition to its sentimental value, the Great Lakes, including Lake Michigan, serve as an important resource, providing 20 percent of all the surface water in the world.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1280, a resolution expressing the support of the House of Representatives for National Healthy Schools Day. Unhealthy school environments have a traumatic effect of our students' health, learning, and productivity, and increase health care costs down the road. Fifty-five million students spend the week in American schools, and it is critical to our Nation's future that they be provided a safe and healthy learning environment. While we take time to recognize this important issue, I would like to acknowledge the work of the Healthy Schools Campaign, a Chicago-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and nurturing healthy school environments. Under the leadership of Founding Executive Director Rochelle Davis, the Healthy Schools Campaign has been a champion and model in the push to develop healthy school meals, which studies show have a significant impact on the cognitive and behavioral well-being of students. We must work to ensure that every child born in this country has the opportunity to take advantage of its great resources. Guaranteeing a healthy school environment for all children will play a critical role in this effort, and I will continue to strongly support legislation and initiatives targeting that goal.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 25th anniversary of an extraordinary organization--the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. The AIDS Foundation is not just an Illinois treasure. It is recognized across the Nation as a leader in HIV/AIDS policy and service. The AIDS Foundation was founded in 1985 at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic when an AIDS diagnosis was a death sentence. HIV had been identified 2 years earlier, but effective treatment was still not available. Many of us watched helplessly as friends and loved ones passed away. AFC was founded by friends of mine, Dr. Renslow Sherer, Dr. Ron Sable, Judy Carter, and William Young. Its mission: to lead the fight against HIV/AIDS and improve the lives of people affected by the epidemic. Thanks to AFC's role as a force for change, lives have been saved and lives have been changed. AFC helped turned the tide of this epidemic in Illinois and across the country by working with community organizations to develop and improve HIV/AIDS services, funding and coordinating prevention, care, and advocacy, and acting as a champion for effective, compassionate HIV/AIDS policy. In its position as the hub of HIV/AIDS services in Chicago, AFC has worked with its partner agencies to connect people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS with the care, housing, and prevention services that keep HIV infection from being the death sentence it once was. Through its advocacy efforts, AFC has given a voice to those who would otherwise go unheard, empowering those living with the disease to be their own advocates, holding those of us in power accountable, and keeping the human face of the epidemic fresh in our eyes and close to our hearts. Many of the life-saving programs established by this body have been implemented on the ground by AFC and its community partners. Again and again, AFC has proven itself to be a dedicated steward of public and private resources. Its innovative approaches to coordinating HIV/AIDS prevention and care services such as case management and support of housing programs have been repeatedly recognized as national models. From the west side of Chicago to West Africa, AFC has partnered with community organizations to support vital prevention, education, and care programs that would otherwise go unfunded. These activities reflect the true scope of the HIV/AIDS epidemic running the gamut from the local and State level to the national and international stage. Because of the richness of these links, AFC is uniquely positioned to build coalitions and grassroots advocacy networks to effect change. Its leadership in countless campaigns for more and better HIV/AIDS prevention, care and housing services has empowered those communities impacted by the epidemic to directly engage their elected officials and demand the life-saving services that they need. As a Member of Congress, I rely on AFC to provide me with policy advice and, as important, to describe the on-the-ground needs and concerns that must be addressed. And so I would like to congratulate AFC President and CEO Mark Ishaug, Board Chair Aaron Baker, and their staff and volunteers for their leadership and dedication in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Thanks to your hard work over the last 25 years, we now know that this is a fight in which one day we will be victorious.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the Jewish State of Israel. Israel has weathered decades of war and terrorism, but it remains a thriving democracy and America's closest friend and ally in the Middle East. As a very young child, I remember the immense pride and joy my family felt when the Jewish state became a reality. I had the privilege of traveling once again to Israel earlier this month. And again I was struck by the resilience, the courage, and innovation of the Israeli people, as well as their pride in the beautifully lush country they had built in the desert. I thought about my childhood again and the number of times that I had saved my nickels and dimes to buy trees and tree certificates that we used for birthdays and anniversaries to plant trees in Israel and to turn that desert and make it bloom. No longer just a longing of the Jewish people, Israel today is a leader in technology, and energy, and scientific innovation, including medical innovations. It is also the only democratic state in the Middle East, and our steadfast friend and ally and partner. Today we mark the 62nd anniversary of the State of Israel and celebrate the unbreakable bonds between our two countries, the unbreakable bonds between our two countries. Sixty-two years after the United States became the first country to recognize the new State of Israel, we still share common dreams and continue to strengthen our critical relationship. Just minutes after the declaration of the founding of the State of Israel, President Harry Truman recognized that country, and it began a 62-year long commitment, nonpartisan, bipartisan, universal throughout our country recognizing the importance of our relationship with the State of Israel. I believe that this Congress of the United States maintains that dedication and will forevermore.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. Today, members of Congress gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to remember those who perished and to join in solidarity with people in Israel and around the world marking Holocaust Remembrance day--Yom Hashoah. Today, we gather to remember those who died and to preserve the memory of the Holocaust. Six million Jews perished at the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust; countless others were brutalized, raped, dehumanized, and robbed. As hard as the stories are to hear, we must ensure that the experiences of Holocaust survivors are preserved as a permanent part of history. ``Never again'' is a pledge that we must continue to uphold through education, dialogue, and determination. It is also a commitment to fighting hatred, intolerance, and brutality wherever they occur. Too often, we have stood by and allowed the targeting, brutalization, and massacre of an innocent civilian population. We can honor those who died in the Holocaust by refusing to allow similar atrocities to occur in the future. Events in the Middle East, and around the world highlight the importance of Holocaust remembrance. Recent data show signs of an alarming rise in anti-Semitism, and harsh criticism of Israel is increasingly tinged with traditional anti-Semitism. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for the annihilation of Israel. This is another reminder that we must continue to work to strengthen the U.S.- Israel relationship, and redouble our efforts toward achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. The Days of Remembrance hold a deep meaning for my community. My district, the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, is home to one of the largest concentrations of Holocaust survivors in the country. Last spring, I had the opportunity to participate in the opening of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie. Skokie is home to an estimated 2,000 Holocaust survivors, and the museum would not have been possible without their active involvement and input. The new 65,000-square foot museum will have the capacity to serve over 250,000 annual visitors, and will teach countless people, young and old, the importance of actively fighting hatred and prejudice. The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center continues to use education to combat intolerance. Today, we remember one of the darkest moments in human history, and we honor and mourn those who lost their lives. As we honor their memory, we must also recommit to working together to fight genocide to ensure that others do not suffer their fate, and to continuing to teach our children the history of the Holocaust.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to express my sincere condolences to the people of Poland as they mourn the death of President Lech Kaczynski and his wife, Maria, and to the families and friends of the other 94 men and women who lost their lives in Saturday's airplane crash near Russia's Katyn Forest. Chicago is the second largest Polish city in the world, second only to Warsaw, and among those killed was Wojciech Seweryn, a Chicago sculptor who emigrated from Poland over three decades ago. Seweryn's father was one of over 20,000 Poles killed in the Soviet Union in the Katyn Forest in 1940. He was traveling with the Polish President to mark the 70th anniversary of the massacre. I join with Chicago's vibrant Polish American community and with Poland's friends around the world in mourning the loss of the 96 men and women who lost their lives on Saturday.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Tonight I want to express my profound thanks to the people of Illinois' Ninth Congressional District, the place where I was born and lived nearly all my life, for the privilege of being here tonight to cast my vote for this historic health care measure. My life's work has been to answer what is at bottom a moral question: Will the United States of America continue to allow our people to lose their lives, their homes and their fundamental sense of security, or finally decide that a proud and wealthy country like ours has an ethical obligation to provide access to health care for everybody? Is it even credible to think that a country as rich as ours in so many ways can't afford to do this? I am so proud that today this House, under the leadership of perhaps the most effective Speaker in U.S. history, Nancy Pelosi, will say to all those parents agonizing over a sick child who is now excluded from insurance coverage because of a preexisting condition, Sleep well. Our courageous and visionary President Barack Obama, when he signs this law, that problem will end. This is a great day for America.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Yeah. Fifty percent reduction in price. That's going to happen right away, so there's going to be help for seniors in that regard. We will no longer charge a copayment. They won't have to pay out of their pocket for preventive services in this bill when it's fully implemented. That means you can get a mammogram, you can get a colonoscopy. You can get a checkup. You can get preventive services without having to pay any out-of-pocket costs. We provide more for home and community-based services so older people can stay in their homes. That's where they want to be. If they can, they don't want to have to go to a nursing home; they want to have services in their communities, in their homes. And if they have to go to nursing homes, we improve nursing home quality. For example, we make sure that there are criminal background checks in nursing homes so that the employees will be safe for people and protect women's safety in the nursing homes. We extend the life of Medicare for almost another decade. You know, oh, Medicaid's going to go broke. This is going to be a problem for Medicare doing this. No. The truth is, this bill will make Medicare solvent. That means that it won't go broke for yet another decade beyond its life right now. So this bill does so much for older Americans. And yet, the other side's trying to scare the heck out of senior citizens, telling them that Medicare's going to be cut. There's not one benefit that's going to be cut under Medicare under this bill. We make Medicare better, more services, longer life, more prescription drugs. It's a great bill for older Americans, as well as younger.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. I just wanted to talk a little bit about older women because, and really all seniors, but the fact of the matter is that 80 percent of people over the age of 85 are women. Fifty-seven percent of Medicare beneficiaries are women. So when you talk about aging you really are talking about mostly women. And I think it's important to note some of the amazing things that happen in this bill. Representative Brown talked about, or maybe it was you, talked about the doughnut hole. What is that? That's a gap in coverage. You know, let me tell my example. I have a constituent who got on Medicare part D. She was told when she signed up that it was going to cover her prescription drugs. She looked over the list. One day she goes to the drug store, orders a refill of her prescription and she is told it's $120. She said, that's impossible. I paid $10 for it last month. It is impossible for it to be $120. I know. They said, no, no. You are now in this gap in coverage where you have to pay the next $3,600 out of your own pocket, and then you'll start to be covered again.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Thank you, Representative Woolsey.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Thank you so much, Congresswoman Woolsey, for organizing us tonight. I appreciate it. I learned so much just sitting here listening to the women that have been talking about why this legislation is so important to women, why we need health care reform, and some of the facts of life about women. I learned from Congresswoman Jackie Speier an amazing fact that I'm going to carry with me--that a 40-year-old woman, she said, who does not smoke, has to pay more for her insurance than a 40-year-old man who smokes. This makes absolutely no sense. I think maybe it was put best by the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, who said, Being a woman is a preexisting condition. That pretty much sums it up. According to the Commonwealth Report--that's a very well known and reputable think tank on health care--says that 45 percent of women are uninsured or underinsured; 52 percent of women have foregone necessary care because of the cost, including not filling a prescription. We know that. We have all heard about that, about people who come to our office and they are cutting their prescriptions in half, how they're not taking them to the drugstore to fill them, skipping a medical test, or not going to the doctor. And we know that for young women, only about 12 percent of the plans on the private market cover maternity. That was talked about tonight. And that's not just a problem for women. That's a problem for families. For heaven's sake, you expect that when you have health insurance, that if you get pregnant and you're going to have a baby, that your insurance company is going to cover it. It's kind of basic. But maternity can even be considered a preexisting condition, that a woman cannot get insurance because she was pregnant. Of course, having a Cesarian section, that's a preexisting condition. Or being a victim of domestic violence, that's a preexisting condition. The insurance industry thinks women cost more. We do use more health care services. That's true. And so throughout our life we pay about 48 percent more for health insurance than men do. It's because we're women. I think it's wrong, and that's why in this historic legislation that we're about to pass, we end gender discrimination. Women will not be discriminated against.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Let me emphasize that. I think that is one of the most important things that's in our legislation. Because, after all, who does not have some kind of preexisting condition? And for the insurance companies, sometimes they'll call acne a preexisting condition that will preclude people from health care. This bill will say, when it goes into full effect--Congresswoman Woolsey is right. Children almost immediately will not be excluded for preexisting conditions. But for everyone else, in 2014, they will not be able to exclude you because you've been sick.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. The other thing is that--I don't know if the French Ambassador bragged at all, but France is considered number one in the world in terms of health care results. They have healthier people than anyone else in the world as a population, and they spend far less than we do, about half what we do per person.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. And we're at about 17 percent.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. And the United States of America ranks--what is it?-- about 17th in the world in our health outcomes next to hardly developed countries, and the reason is simple. We have 30 million people who have no health insurance, and then we have millions and millions of others who think they're insured until they get sick, and then they find out that they're underinsured.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. You know, you had talked about, and I think you were absolutely eloquent, that we've never seen a perfect bill. But, you know, Social Security and Medicare, which are not only the most popular but the most effective programs that we have in our country, to guarantee a dignified retirement, to make sure that people, that older Americans, people with disabilities don't do without, orphans don't do without if they lose a parent, those bills didn't start out as good as they are now. You know, we add people, we make some changes, we fine- tune the legislation. But what we're doing now will rank right up there with the first passage of Medicare, with the first passage of Medicaid and Social Security. And then, we will--and I, you know, we were together, Congresswoman Woolsey, at the White House talking to the President, who himself recognized this isn't the be all and end all, but it's, as you said, the perfect beginning. It lays the foundation that we can work from. And I think the level of peace of mind and security that people will have-- But I wanted to make another point. You talked about how we compete in the world. And the cost of health care makes our businesses uncompetitive. The other thing it does it this locks down entrepreneurship and innovation because, you know, let's say you're a young person that has a great idea of how we're going to solve the energy crisis or how we're going to solve a health care, you know, a disease problem, wants to do great research, or a woman who wants to start her own business. But if she has a job that offers health care, she may be locked into that job as long as she can stay there. People are afraid to leave a job where health care is provided, and that is a very stifling factor. We can liberate entrepreneurship, which is the hallmark of the American spirit, if people know they can leave their job and they'll still have access to health care.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. That's right.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. We're going to close the doughnut hole entirely over 10 years, but we're going to start right away. $250 it's going to be reduced and, for brand name drugs that are in the--