[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 119 (Monday, June 29, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H2597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRESS NEEDS TO BUILD ON HEALTHCARE PROGRESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Kansas (Ms. Davids) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act.
  From skyrocketing prescription drug prices to rising premiums, too 
many Kansans are struggling to afford the basic costs of healthcare and 
access to coverage, a problem that has only grown during this public 
health crisis.
  And just last week, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, this 
administration asked the Supreme Court to strike down every last 
protection and benefit afforded by the Affordable Care Act.
  A new report found that a number of Americans would lose health 
coverage if this lawsuit succeeded. Twenty-three million people, 
including 94,000 Kansans, would lose their health insurance.
  We need to build on the progress of the Affordable Care Act to lower 
the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, not rip away people's 
healthcare at such an important time during this global pandemic. And 
that is exactly what the Patient Protection and Affordable Care 
Enhancement Act would do.
  This essential legislation would help lower the cost of healthcare, 
bring down the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs, crack down on 
junk insurance plans, and strengthen protections for people with 
preexisting conditions.
  Importantly, it would also help States like Kansas expand Medicaid, 
providing an estimated 150,000 Kansans with affordable, quality 
healthcare.
  I have long been pushing for Kansas to join the 36 other States that 
have already expanded Medicaid so we can lower the costs of healthcare 
and increase access to health coverage, meaning more people are 
protected during emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic.
  I am proud to have helped secure vital provisions in this legislation 
that would give Kansas more urgently needed money to expand Medicaid.
  By renewing the ACA's original expanded Federal match, we could both 
incentivize States to expand their Medicaid programs and ensure a 
smooth transition for those that do so.
  While this administration works to tear down the ACA in court, I am 
working alongside my House colleagues to strengthen the ACA and help 
ensure that everyone can receive affordable, quality healthcare.
  Because during this time of uncertainty, no Kansan should have to 
worry about whether she will receive the care that they need and that 
their families need to stay healthy.

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