The time is now for Congress to address health care in America.

Too many of my constituents like many other hard working Americans across the country are suffering unnecessarily due to our flawed health care system.

I can support co-ops if they want to do it as we've known co-ops in America for 150 years - where they serve the purposes of the consuming public whether it's health care or whether it's co-ops as we know them in the Midwest providing electricity or to sell supplies to farmer.

America enjoys the best health care in the world but the best is no good if folks can't afford it access it and doctor's can't provide it.

And in terms of their crown jewel legislative achievement: who knew that when asked 'will government impose a new federal mandate requiring middle class Americans to buy health insurance whether they can afford it or not?' The answer would be 'Yes we can!'

Americans oppose Obamacare because they understand that it is inconsistent with our liberties and our idea of limited government and that it will destroy the best health care system in the world.

Rogue internet pharmacies continue to pose a serious threat to the health and safety of Americans. Simply put a few unethical physicians and pharmacists have become drug suppliers to a nation.

When Medicare was created for senior citizens and America 's disabled in 1965 about half of a senior's health care spending was on doctors and the other half on hospitals.

While most Americans have access to the best oral health care in the world low-income children suffer disproportionately from oral disease.

And whether it is equal pay health care Social Security or family leave this Congress has refused to address issues critical to hard-working American women.

There are few in America that really know how to take advantage of the current health care system.

The American economy has always been driven by the entrepreneurial nature of its citizens and blocking access to affordable health care will only suffocate growth within the small business sector of our economy.

America's health care system provides some of the finest doctors and more access to vital medications than any country in the world. And yet our system has been faltering for many years with the increased cost of health care.

By giving every American access to quality affordable health care they will create a more competitive a stronger and more secure America!

Health care costs blunt the competitive edge of American entrepreneurs from the auto industry to internet start-ups.

President Obama stands ready to work with everyone because that's what the American people expect and deserve - not for the short term political advantages but the long term health of our country. We don't spend time trying to figure out what's in the minds of Republicans we try to keep our focus on the American people.

America's veterans deserve the very best health care because they've earned it.

American families families back home in Minnesota know only too well that out-of-pocket expenses for health care have been rising at an astonishing rate.

The majority of Americans receive health insurance coverage through their employers but with rising health care costs many small businesses can no longer afford to provide coverage for their employees.

I understand that in these difficult economic times the potential for any additional expense is not welcomed by American businesses. But in the long run the health insurance reform law promises to cut health-care costs for U.S. businesses not expand them.

As founder and co-chair of the upper Mississippi River Congressional task force I have long sought to preserve the river's health and historical multiple uses including as a natural waterway and a home to wildlife for the benefit of future generations of Americans.

We've had Town Hall meetings we've witnessed election after election in which the American people have taken a position on the President's health care bill. And the bottom line is the people don't like this bill. They don't want it.

I am hopeful for the American people that we can actually improve the outlook for bringing down costs in health care.

Challenges of historic import threaten America's future. Action on the deficit economy energy health care and much more is imperative yet our legislative institutions fail to act. Congress must be reformed.