[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 82 (Thursday, May 11, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT OF 2017

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2017

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise once again in strong opposition to H.R. 
1628, which is a bill to take away health care from 24 million 
Americans. Whether you believe it or not, health care is a basic right.
  This shameful bill steals from the most vulnerable among us, 
including seniors, veterans, people living with HIV, children, and the 
disabled. And this new bill is even more dangerous and destructive than 
when they brought it to the Floor last time.
  It would, yes, rip away health care from 24 million people. It would 
reduce benefits, make families pay more for less, and transfer $600 
billion in tax cuts to the very wealthy.
  This is outrageous. Access to women's health is denied by defunding 
Planned Parenthood. Medicaid, as we know it, will end. Healthcare costs 
for working families and seniors will skyrocket. It allows states to 
eliminate essential health benefits like maternity care, cancer 
screenings, and emergency care.
  Mr. Speaker, this is not a health bill at all. This is a massive tax 
giveaway to the wealthy.
  Let me tell you, as a woman of faith, I am appalled and I am saddened 
by the hypocrisy displayed in this bill by people who say they are 
religious. I want to remind you--in the Scriptures, the Book of Mark, 
chapter 12:31, we are reminded to love your neighbor as yourself.
  I hope Republicans remember to love their neighbor as themselves 
today and vote ``no'' on this mean-spirited and evil bill. Let's defeat 
this harmful and morally bankrupt bill.
  This is a matter of life and death, and the American people deserve 
better.

                          ____________________