[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    INSULAR AREA MEDICAID PARITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                  HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN

                    of the northern mariana islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 14, 2020

  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, the coronavirus pandemic is exposing the 
gaps in our national healthcare system like never before. One of those 
gaps is that our national Medicaid program does not reach all Americans 
with full coverage. We have already acknowledged that deficiency, in 
part, with provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act 
that created equity between the states and the territories with respect 
to the federal-local match for Medicaid. Families First, also, provided 
additional federal dollars for the territorial Medicaid programs.
  But the territorial programs still operate under an absolute cap for 
Medicaid assistance. No matter how many fall ill, no matter how costly 
or prolonged their treatment, that cap will always limit care in the 
territories.
  Now, as never before, we have also come to understand that, while 
some areas of our nation are ill, no area of our nation can be well. 
So, the time has come to repeal the cap on territories' Medicaid. The 
bill I am introducing does just that.
  By repealing the cap, we will be doing more than just ensuring there 
are sufficient resources to face the coronavirus crisis. We will be 
setting up the healthcare systems in the territories to respond to the 
next public health challenge, whatever it may. Most important of all, 
we will ensure that day-after-day and year-by-year those with the 
smallest incomes and no access to other insurance receive the care that 
will keep them healthy and help ward off debilitating disease.
  We will, also, be providing a level of certainty to healthcare 
providers--in the public and private sector--that will encourage 
investment in the health industry in the territories, which by any 
measure lags the rest of the nation. And by doing so we will create a 
virtuous cycle of rising quality of care powered by rising access that 
will benefit all at every income level.
  Today, we are confronted by a terrible health crisis. We can beat 
back the coronavirus, I am sure. But we can also do more. We can use 
this time to recognize that we are one nation, one people, who must 
work together not only to overcome the coronavirus, but also to create 
a system for tomorrow that safeguards the health of all Americans.
  Full-fledged membership in the national Medicaid program was a goal 
of the territories long before I came to Congress. Now the time has 
come for action. Because nothing exposes the gaps in our healthcare 
system more than a disease like coronavirus.
  I thank my colleagues who join in introducing this legislation--
Chairman Grijalva, Chairwoman Velazquez, Mr. San Nicolas, Mrs. 
Radewagen, Ms. Plaskett, Mr. Garcia, Mr. Espaillat, and Mr. Serrano.

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