[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 196 (Wednesday, December 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H10105-H10106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            OPEN ENROLLMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Cummings) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind everyone that the 
enrollment period to sign up for 2019 health plans on healthcare.gov, 
and in many States like my home State of

[[Page H10106]]

Maryland, ends in just 3 days. That is Saturday, December 15.
  I have often said that voting for the Affordable Care Act was the 
most important vote of my career. When Congress passed the Affordable 
Care Act in 2010, we enshrined into law the promise that all Americans 
have a right to accessible and affordable health insurance coverage in 
this great country.
  By strengthening the individual health insurance market, protecting 
people with preexisting conditions, and expanding Medicaid, we brought 
this promise closer to reality. We promised that individuals would not 
have to worry about affording health insurance or paying outrageous 
rates because of preexisting conditions. We safeguarded access to care 
for people who need it by preventing health insurance providers from 
placing limits on their coverage.
  Because of the ACA, individuals and families across this country do 
not have to live with the daily fear of financial disaster they could 
face if they got sick while they were uninsured. In total, 
approximately 20 million Americans gained health insurance coverage as 
a result of the ACA.
  During the November election, the American people reminded us that 
they want their elected officials to protect their access to affordable 
healthcare. In my home State of Maryland, the uninsured population is 
at an all-time low of 6.1 percent. As more people have gotten coverage, 
the cost of uncompensated care in Maryland hospitals has gone down by 
$400 million from 2013 to 2017.
  The open enrollment period that is quickly coming to a close in many 
States is the only time during which people can act to protect 
themselves and their families by purchasing coverage through 
healthcare.gov or their State health insurance marketplace.
  Quality health plans for 2019 are more affordable than many people 
may realize. Eight in ten people using healthcare.gov qualify for 
financial assistance, meaning that most people can find a health plan 
with a premium of less than $75 per month.
  According to data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services through December 1, enrollment is down 11 percent on the 
Federal exchange compared to last year.
  I am proud that Maryland has embraced the ACA to help people in our 
State secure the coverage they need to keep their families healthy and 
safe. I am proud of all the hard work the Maryland Health Connection 
continues to do to make it easier for people to get enrolled.
  The Trump administration has focused their efforts on sabotaging the 
ACA by making it harder for Americans to sign up for coverage through 
actions such as shortening the enrollment period, slashing funding for 
marketing and outreach programs, and lowering spending by more than 80 
percent on local in-person assistance through the navigator program.
  Because of these efforts, there is fear about the future of ACA. I 
want to make one thing very clear: The ACA is not going anywhere, 
despite the efforts of the Trump administration to sabotage this law. 
Please know that I intend to do everything in my power to keep the ACA 
intact and to make sure that people have health coverage that is 
meaningful, affordable, and accessible.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone in the next 3 days to discuss your 
options and find out how to get the best plan for you as an individual 
and for your family.
  Everyone deserves access to healthcare that will improve their lives. 
Healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and I pledge to do my part to 
protect that right.

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