[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 83 (Thursday, May 13, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        MAKING UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS A REALITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2021

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, since its creation in 1965, Medicare has 
provided health insurance and access to quality health care for 
hundreds of millions of Americans over the age of 65. Since then 
Congress has worked to ensure that Medicare is adapting to meet the 
needs of the American people. In 1972, Medicare benefits were extended 
to people under 65 years with long-term disabilities. Hospice care was 
added in 1982. And, a prescription drug benefit was added in 2003. In 
2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which I strongly supported, 
strengthened Medicare coverage for preventive care and reduced patient 
liability for prescription drug costs.
  Currently, 44 million Americans--15 percent of the U.S. population--
are enrolled in Medicare. While not perfect, Medicare is without a 
doubt one of the most successful, lifesaving, and life improving 
programs ever established by the federal government. Throughout my 
career in Congress I have fought to protect Medicare, Medicaid, and 
Social Security because these safety net programs provide essential 
health and economic support that is often the difference between a 
person living in poverty or living a quality life with dignity.
  After enduring the COVID-19 pandemic for the past 14 months, there 
can be no doubt that health care for the American people must be 
considered a right, not a privilege. Access to quality, affordable 
health care is essential to our individual well-being, our families, 
our community, and our economy. Because universal access to quality 
health care must be considered a right, last month I introduced H. J. 
Res. 44--an amendment to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing health care 
for all Americans. Until it is enshrined in the Constitution, I believe 
we will continue to have a health care system of winners and losers 
which will cause physical and economic hardship for millions of 
Americans. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it must be 
that policymakers need to take action to ensure no one is left behind, 
that health disparities are reduced, and that a preventable or 
treatable condition should never result in disability, death, or 
economic ruin.
  My commitment is to work to expand health care access, improve the 
quality of care, and to ensure that all Americans who need health care 
coverage can have it. I will fight to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid. 
I will work to expand the ACA and strengthen its provisions such as 
protecting those with preexisting conditions. And, where I have direct 
responsibility as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will work 
to strengthen TRICARE for the roughly 9.6 million enlisted men, women, 
and their families defending our freedom worldwide; strengthen the 
Indian Health Service (IHS) which serves roughly 2.56 million Native 
Americans and Alaska Natives with unique, specialized health services; 
and, strengthen the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for the 
millions of men and women who have served our nation and deserve the 
quality care they've been promised.
  There is so much work to be done. Still, too many Americans are being 
left behind. Too many people will not have access to quality, 
affordable health care. So, I have come to the realization that it is 
once again time to expand access within Medicare.
  I believe that now is the time to start the arduous legislative 
process of working to provide universal coverage to all Americans and 
the best policy option to achieve this goal on the table today is the 
Medicare for All Act (H.R. 1976). This legislation will provide every 
American with health coverage, while also eliminating out-of-pocket 
costs for patients and cutting the cost of prescription drugs. 
Additionally, H.R. 1976 would include vision, dental, hearing, mental 
health, and substance abuse treatment to ensure comprehensive physical 
and mental health services for all Americans.
  After many discussions over the past few years, I want to extend my 
appreciation to the bill's authors for working with me to address the 
major concerns that I had with previous versions of this legislation. 
In particular, previous bills would have forced the VHA, TRICARE, and 
IHS to be disbanded and folded into the same patient population as all 
other Americans. This was unacceptable to me based upon long standing 
commitments and obligations that our federal government has made to 
these patient populations.
  With those concerns removed, I am proud to co-sponsor H.R. 1976. The 
goal is now clear, let's work to ensure that every American can access 
guaranteed health care as a right, not a privilege. It is my belief 
that the Medicare for All Act is the legislative vehicle that can best 
serve the needs and desires of the American people for affordable, 
quality, and universal health care.

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