In order for our region to recover fully, we need to provide the basic services that were in place before we were struck by disaster. Just as importantly, we need to improve on those services to make our region one of the most vibrant and competitive in our nation. To do this, we need to be able to provide appropriate assistance for those who have come back to start the recovery process, and provide an avenue for those who have yet to return.
One of the major components of our regional recovery begins with healthcare. Quite simply our healthcare system costs too much – for individuals, for employers, and for providers – and it drains much needed money out of our national economy. Second, the numbers of people who lack access to basic healthcare is reaching epidemic proportions. Rising health care costs, combined with America’s worsening economic slump, have resulted in too many middle class families that can no longer afford health care for their children. If we are to engage in a true recovery, we need a system in place that provides basic healthcare to working members of our population that would be otherwise uninsured. That is why I believe that that the principles of reducing health care costs, protecting and increasing consumers’ choices, and guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans are vital to the recovery of our region.
Another important point on recovery to note is that although Hurricane Katrina caused the overwhelming majority of the housing crisis in our region, there were still thousands of us affected by the mortgage crisis that took place after the storm. Too many people in this district worked hard, played by the rules, but still lost their home because of the worsening subprime mortgage crisis. Subprime lending, virtually unrestricted over the past decade by local, state or federal regulation, has trapped millions of unsuspecting homeowners who sought either to purchase a larger home or to consolidate debt.
We’re in this mess because Washington failed to crack down on predatory lenders and heed the warning signs of the developing mortgage crisis. Today, America’s middle class families are now paying the price for Washington’s inaction. That’s why I’m committed to bringing change to Washington that will finally put the best interest of homeowners ahead of the interest of the mortgage industry so we can finally rebuild our housing market and restore the dream of home ownership to America’s middle class families.
One of the major components of our regional recovery begins with healthcare. Quite simply our healthcare system costs too much – for individuals, for employers, and for providers – and it drains much needed money out of our national economy. Second, the numbers of people who lack access to basic healthcare is reaching epidemic proportions. Rising health care costs, combined with America’s worsening economic slump, have resulted in too many middle class families that can no longer afford health care for their children. If we are to engage in a true recovery, we need a system in place that provides basic healthcare to working members of our population that would be otherwise uninsured. That is why I believe that that the principles of reducing health care costs, protecting and increasing consumers’ choices, and guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans are vital to the recovery of our region.
Another important point on recovery to note is that although Hurricane Katrina caused the overwhelming majority of the housing crisis in our region, there were still thousands of us affected by the mortgage crisis that took place after the storm. Too many people in this district worked hard, played by the rules, but still lost their home because of the worsening subprime mortgage crisis. Subprime lending, virtually unrestricted over the past decade by local, state or federal regulation, has trapped millions of unsuspecting homeowners who sought either to purchase a larger home or to consolidate debt.
We’re in this mess because Washington failed to crack down on predatory lenders and heed the warning signs of the developing mortgage crisis. Today, America’s middle class families are now paying the price for Washington’s inaction. That’s why I’m committed to bringing change to Washington that will finally put the best interest of homeowners ahead of the interest of the mortgage industry so we can finally rebuild our housing market and restore the dream of home ownership to America’s middle class families.
