Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., resisted GOP calls Wednesday to apologize for saying Republicans "want you to die quickly if you get sick."

The freshman congressman said the statement, which he made in brief remarks Tuesday night on the House floor, was triggered after he read an article by Harvard scientists claiming 44,000 Americans die every year because of a lack of health insurance.

"The speech I gave (Tuesday) was meant to underline the fact that we can't wait any longer. America really needs affordable, comprehensive, universal health insurance," Grayson said in an interview. "And the speech (Tuesday night) was, I think, motivated by my sense of urgency."

Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., drafted a "resolution of disapproval" saying Grayson's conduct was "a breach of decorum and degraded the integrity and proceedings of the House." The language in Price's resolution is similar to that used by the Democrats to rebuke Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., who shouted "You lie!" during President Obama's address to Congress on Sept. 9.

Price delayed its introduction to give Grayson another chance to apologize to the Republican House leadership. Grayson took the floor again Wednesday but refused to apologize to the Republicans. Referring to the Harvard study, he said, "I apologize to the dead and their families that we haven't voted sooner to end this holocaust in America."

Brendan Buck, communications director for Price, said the congressman plans on moving forward with the resolution, but Buck did not say when it would be introduced.

Grayson said he has read the resolution, has the support of his leadership, and does not plan to apologize. His office posted a video of his speech on YouTube.

"It is just another example of how they are constantly trying to change the subject. Nobody really cares about their feelings," Grayson said.

"We are not sent here to make the other members feel good," he said. "We are sent here to solve America's problems. Only in their own narrow minds would they think what matters here is how they feel."

As for comparisons to Wilson, Grayson said, "I think the Republicans are putting it out there, but ... I don't think people are buying that at all."