Senate Proceeding 11-03-09 on Nov 3rd, 2009 :: 4:23:20 to 4:24:40
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4:23:20 to 4:23:41( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: paying for a lot of the things that we need to do. mr. cardin: well, i tha my colleague from minnesota. she has been a real fighter for middle-income families and working families here in america and minnesota and has brought out these issues of how we can improve the standard of livin i think the point that you raise is one that really needs to be underscored.

4:23:20 to 4:24:40( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Benjamin L. Cardin

4:23:42 to 4:24:02( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: today, working families, middle-income families are seeing an erosion of their income. they're paying more and more of their compensation is going to pay for health benefits. their employers are paying it. it means less take-home money for them in their paycheck. if they have to pay the costs, they are seeing more and more of an increase.

4:24:03 to 4:24:23( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: again, health care costs are going up three times what wages are going up in america. so middle-income families are falling behind every year, and they're depending upon us to really speak up for them. they're also paying a hidden tax, a hidden tax. middle-income families today are spending $1,100 a year for

4:24:24 to 4:24:40( Edit History Discussion )

Benjamin L. Cardin: paying for those who don't have health insurance. we talked about that earlier. but that's a hidden tax. we have to get rid of that tax. one of the things we do with health insurance reforms is to get rid of that tax by saying everyone has to be responsible for their health care costs. why should i pay for someone who -- who today could have