[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REPEAL WILL AFFECT EVERY AMERICAN
(Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise out of a deep concern, not just for
the 30 million Americans who will lose access to health coverage and
the tens of millions of others who will see their costs rise if
Republicans repeal the Affordable Care Act without a replacement, but
as well for every American because the repeal will affect every
American, including every American who has health insurance through
their employer.
Let there be no mistake. Every American will be adversely affected by
the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. The repeal and delay plan ought
to be called repeal and deny, deny health coverage to tens of millions,
deny tax credits to small businesses to help them cover their
employees, deny those with preexisting conditions protection from high
premiums and coverage denials, and deny parents from covering their
children under age 26 through their own insurance plans. Every American
will be adversely affected if we repeal the Affordable Care Act.
I heard recently through social media from a woman in my district
whose family was able to save more than $1,200 a month because of the
ACA marketplace. Another wrote to tell me that the ACA made it possible
for her to sign up for coverage for the first time in years since she
lost her job and her employer-based insurance. When she needed to be
hospitalized this spring, having coverage saved her life.
Repeal and deny would be a disaster for our people and our economy. I
urge my Republican friends to instead work with the Democrats to
improve the Affordable Care Act.
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