[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 140 (Wednesday, October 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1464-E1465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JOYCE BEATTY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 7, 2013

  Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank my colleagues, 
Mr. Horsford and Mr. Jeffries, for leading the CBC's important 
discussion on Republicans' refusal to bring a clean continuing 
resolution to the floor and the resulting government shutdown.
  The Republican course is a partisan path to nowhere, and it simply 
leaves our workers with fewer jobs, our families with less security, 
and our country with less certainty and stability.
  The government shut down has left hundreds of thousands of Federal 
employees immediately and indefinitely furloughed.
  Recruiting and hiring for Veteran jobs have ceased. Federal 
assistance to school districts, colleges and universities, and 
vocational rehabilitation agencies have been severely curtailed.
  Important government research into life-threatening diseases, 
environmental protection, and other areas has halted.
  This has all occurred because some Republicans do not like a law 
already enacted, that a majority of Americans support. A law that 
already has helped millions of American families, individuals, and 
businesses.
  Reforming our nation's health care system is a historic opportunity 
to make health care more affordable and bring the kind of change we 
were all elected to achieve for the American people.
  It's called the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and it secures affordable, 
high quality and accessible health care. It is about establishing 
healthcare as a right, not a privilege, for every American.
  It is about wellness and prevention, economic security and 
entrepreneurship, and strengthening the middle class. This historic law 
is about creating a healthier America.
  October 1st marked the first day the public could enroll in the 
Health Insurance Marketplace created by the ACA.
  For many African-Americans, this date marked the beginning of fewer 
health inequities, increased access to quality care, more affordable 
health coverage, and greater investments in prevention.
  African-Americans and other underserved populations often have higher 
rates of disease, fewer treatment options, and reduced access to 
healthcare.
  The ACA addresses these overwhelming health inequities through 
several initiatives including data collection, prevention, workforce 
development, and quality improvement strategies.
  Thanks to the ACA, 7.3 million African-Americans with private health 
insurance can now receive preventive services, like wellness visits, 
and diabetes and cancer screenings, at no extra cost, 4.5 million 
African-Americans who have Medicare coverage can now receive preventive 
services, like flu shots and blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, 
at no extra cost, 6.8 million uninsured African-Americans may be 
eligible for coverage through the new Health Insurance Marketplace.
  The new Health Insurance Marketplace is healthcare, made simple. It 
builds on the last three years, during which many Americans have 
already seen lower costs and better coverage.
  Because of the ACA, 105 million Americans have already received 
access to free preventive services, 6.6 million Seniors have saved more 
than $7 billion on their prescription drugs.
  More than 100 million Americans no longer have a lifetime limit on 
their insurance coverage.
  Mr. Speaker, we are talking about saving lives. In Ohio, according to 
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there will be lower 
than expected premiums in the new Health Insurance Marketplace.
  Ohio consumers will be able to choose from an average of 46 health 
plans in the Marketplace.
  For every 10 individuals who are uninsured in Ohio, 6 will be able to 
find coverage for $100 or less per month, taking into account premium 
tax credits and Medicaid coverage. As a lifelong healthcare advocate, 
as a stroke survivor, and as an African-American woman, I know the 
importance of protecting access to affordable healthcare coverage for 
all Americans, particularly those who are the most in need.
  The new Marketplaces across the country will mean brand-new health 
and economic security for millions of Americans. It means a healthier, 
more prosperous nation.
  I look forward to helping educate the American people about the 
benefits of the ACA and continuing to move forward with its 
implementation. But, with all of the benefits the ACA brings to our 
country, there are some who still refuse to see how the law helps the 
American people.
  The ACA is the law of the land, which has been upheld by the Supreme 
Court and which

[[Page E1465]]

is currently being implemented to the benefit of millions of Americans.
  I urge Speaker Boehner and the other House Republican leaders to 
follow the will of the American people--end their politically-
manufactured government shutdown, and pass the clean Senate CR, so that 
the government can get back to helping the American people.
  I thank you for the opportunity to speak on this important issue.

                          ____________________