Born Saturday 15 May 1948
Occupation: Politician
Nationality: American
Being a mother is no longer a liability, and being a woman is no longer a pre-existing condition! That's what change looks like.
And under Obamacare, insurance companies can no longer discriminate against women. Before, some wouldn't cover women's most basic needs, like contraception and maternity care, but would still charge us up to 50 percent more than men - for a worse plan.
More than five million seniors have already saved money on their prescription drugs, and almost 33 million have benefited from free preventive services. The president cracked down hard on Medicare and health care fraud, recovering a record-breaking $10.7 billion over the last three years, protecting our seniors. That's what change looks like.
Insurance companies can no longer refuse to cover Americans with pre-existing conditions. That's what change looks like.
But for us Democrats, Obamacare is a badge of honor. Because no matter who you are, what stage of life you're in, this law is a good thing.
General Motors spends more on health care than steel.
We have by far the most expensive health system in the world. We spend 50 percent more per person than the next most costly nation. Americans spend more on health care than housing or food.
I believe we all agree that, for the health of Kansas, nothing is more important than education.
But wishing our Kansas soldiers 'God speed' is not enough. We need to comfort, care for, and protect their families. And we should ease the financial burdens that these families often face.
But the dollars spent on economic incentives and new investment strategies are wasted unless we seriously address the two most important economic issues in Kansas: education and health care.
Although black and white Americans live, work, and learn together now, there is still injustice in America.
The essence of good government is trust.
The men and women who serve this great nation, whether they are stationed in Iraq, Fort Riley, or the Korean Peninsula, or they serve us at home as our community first responders, serve because they believe in America.
If your voices are not heard, you can be sure that many others will be - in particular those who are paid to present a point of view, and often do it most effectively.
A healthy state encourages many voices - and lots of listening.
