[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                AMERICA'S AFFORDABLE HEALTH CHOICES ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 2009

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise in support 
of real health care reform for the American people. As a member of the 
Committee on Ways and Means, I have been working hard to develop a bill 
that really makes health care better.
  What stands out to me the most from my work are the stories I hear 
from my district in California. Neighbors like Blasa Ochoa, who lost 
her insurance when her employer went bankrupt, and who has been unable 
to get another policy because she has a pre-existing condition.
  Or Denise from Lakewood who told me that doctors treat her special-
needs son like a number and not a person.
  The other night, I spoke to several hundred of my neighbors during a 
telephone town hall, and they told me about the problems with the 
current system: high costs, exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and 
the flat out inability to find a plan for those 60 and older.
  I'm working so hard on this issue because I know health care reform 
is what my neighbors back home in California want and need.
  America's Affordable Health Choices Act will fix these problems and 
more.
  But sadly, there are still many misconceptions out there.
  So let me clear some things up.
  This bill will put a stop to abusive insurance company practices, so 
that you can get a policy no matter what your age or whether you have a 
pre-existing condition.
  This bill will control skyrocketing health costs and make health 
insurance more affordable. Its strongest cost-control tool is the 
public health plan option.
  We need a strong and stable public option because the private plans, 
busy seeking profits, have been unsuccessful in controlling the growth 
in healthcare costs. Their idea of controlling costs is denying care!
  But a robust public plan, like the one in this bill, will give the 
private plans real competition and persuade them to change their ways. 
This makes health care cheaper for you.
  A strong public plan will show how investing in comprehensive, high-
quality care, including preventive care, will make Americans healthier 
and save money at the same time.
  An NBC/Wall Street Journal Poll from earlier this year showed that 76 
percent of American voters want a public health plan option. And I am 
proud to have worked on a bill that gives them just that.
  But the public plan option is not the only standout provision in this 
bill.
  This bill will protect small businesses and their employees.
  This bill is going to help small businesses offer health insurance to 
their employees--something most small employers want, but can't afford 
to do right now.
  Currently, small businesses pay an average of 18 percent more for 
health coverage than large businesses.
  But with the America's Affordable Health Choices Act, small 
businesses will have access to the new Health Insurance Exchange, 
giving them the benefits of lower rates that only large businesses now 
enjoy. The exchange will also give small businesses more plans to 
choose from.
  The bill also creates a new tax credit--worth up to half the cost of 
health insurance premiums--to assist small employers who want to offer 
coverage.
  Finally, small businesses will be exempt from the ``pay or play'' 
requirements that will apply to large employers. Small businesses with 
a total payroll of $250,000 or less--that's $250,000 in employee 
payroll, and doesn't count the owner's take home pay--will be exempt 
from ``pay or play.''
  Altogether, the bill makes it easier for small businesses and their 
employees to afford high quality care while protecting their bottom 
line.
  I encourage my colleagues in both chambers and on both sides of the 
aisle to stop the bickering--and stop spreading misconceptions that are 
delaying this much-needed reform bill.
  Americans cannot wait any longer. They're counting on us to get this 
done. We need to pass reform that lowers cost, promotes choice and 
provides care for all, no matter where they work or how large--or 
small--their paychecks.

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