Rep. Betty McCollum. Photo: Andy Birkey, MnIndy

Rep. Betty McCollum. Photo: Andy Birkey, MnIndy

At the Bruce Vento Dinner on Sunday, Rep. Betty McCollum lashed out at those who say a health care reform package in Congress should be bipartisan. Hosted by the 4th Congressional district DFL, the dinner remembers Vento’s two decades representing the district in Congress until his death in 2000.

“Now is the time to pass a public health insurance option. Now is the time to expand access to quality health care, control rising costs, keep American businesses competitive, and improve the health of the American people,” she told the crowd of assembled party activists.

“You know there is a lot of talk about how Democrats need to reach out to Republicans and work for a ‘bipartisan’ health care bill. I am sick and tired of talk of a bipartisan health care bill — that’s just a plan for less health care for people in need and more profits for corporations driven by greed,” she said. “Since I’ve been in Congress there have been a number of historic bipartisan bills — historically bad!”

Via the Minnesota Progressive Project, here’s the full text of McCollum’s speech:

Friends, you know Bruce Vento never shied away from a tough vote or an issue of justice or an opportunity to make sure the lives of all Americans was made a little better. As Americans, as Minnesotans, as Democrats – we are in a fight. We are in a fight for justice, for a basic human right, for an opportunity for every American to live a better, healthier life.Fixing our nation’s broken health care system is something I have been fighting for since 2000 when you all worked so hard to send me to Congress.

Friends, now is the moment – no more excuses, no more delays, no more wasting time.

In 2009, with Barack Obama in the White House, with Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken in the U.S. Senate, with 5 DFLers in the U.S. House of Representatives – this is the time to pass health care reform.

Now is the time to pass a public health insurance option. Now is the time to expand access to quality health care, control rising costs, keep American businesses competitive, and improve the health of the American people.

Reforming health care and making coverage available to 47 million uninsured Americans, improving coverage for the under insured, holding insurance companies accountable by eliminating exclusions for pre=existing conditions and caps on payment should not be partisan issues. Republicans get sick too, don’t they?

But sadly, this is not the case.

Republicans in Congress are the party of profits, not working people. And when I say profits, I don’t mean Old Testament “prophets” – I am talking about corporate profits.

They are fighting for the CEOs and the profiteers, not regular folks who can’t afford to fill their prescription or even go to see a doctor. You know there is a lot of talk about how Democrats need to reach out to Republicans and work for a “bipartisan” health care bill. I am sick and tired of talk of a bipartisan health care bill – that’s just a plan for less health care for people in need and more profits for corporations driven by greed. Since I’ve been in Congress there have been a number of historic bipartisan bills – historically bad!

Remember No Child Left Behind? That was bipartisan and it has turned our public schools into testing factories.

Remember the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts? There was bipartisan legislation that succeeded in transforming a projected $5.6 trillion surplus into trillions of dollars of debt while making the rich richer and contributed to the greatest disparity in income in history.

Finally, do you remember that terrific bipartisan success called the Iraq War? That bipartisan resolution authorizing President Bush to invade Iraq has cost our nation thousands of lives and over $1 trillion dollars. So here is my recommendation: Democrats will put a strong bill on the floor of the House in the upcoming weeks with that meets the needs of the children, the families, seniors, and the next generation of Americans – and we will pass it!

If Republicans want a bipartisan bill – they can join us, vote for health care reform, and work with us make America a stronger nation. We have an opportunity to transform our country and take an enormous step towards finally making health care a right rather than privilege. We can not miss this opportunity – millions are counting on us. So, you can count on me to pass the strongest health care bill possible. This is the time for action and courage, not excuses and delay. If Bruce were with us today we know how he would vote and you know how I will vote.

And, I know you will stand with me because together we will make history in 2009 and make America healthier and stronger. Thank you for all of your support now and over the years.

Thank you.