[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 165 (Thursday, September 23, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H5099-H5100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SUPPORTING HEALTH EQUITY PROVISIONS IN BUILD BACK BETTER ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Ms. Kelly) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
Build Back Better Act, which includes significant investments in the 
fight for health equity.
  As chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, I know 
all too well that, for centuries, Black Americans and people of color 
have been systematically denied affordable healthcare access and left 
behind when it comes to our healthcare policies. No more.
  Healthcare access is an essential right, and we must do more to 
ensure

[[Page H5100]]

that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or ZIP Code, 
have access to quality, affordable healthcare.
  I am proud that our draft of the Build Back Better Act takes a step 
toward that goal. We have included several key investments that are 
going to make a real difference in healthcare available to folks. These 
investments will prevent chronic illnesses like heart disease and 
diabetes, ensure earlier detection and treatment of certain cancers, 
and tackle the Black maternal health crisis.
  There is so much good included in the Build Back Better Act, but 
today I want to highlight just three of the most urgent health equity 
issues this bill will address.
  The first of those priorities is saving the lives of mothers. The 
Build Back Better Act provides for a mandatory extension of postpartum 
care for new mothers utilizing Medicaid. In the American Rescue Plan, 
we included an option for States to extend postpartum care for 12 
months after delivery. While some States have taken up that option, it 
will expire in 5 years.
  The Build Back Better Act goes a step further in making that expanded 
postpartum coverage mandatory and permanent. Research shows that one-
third of all pregnancy-related maternal deaths occur between 1 week and 
1 year of delivery, and Black women are at an increased risk of 
experiencing severe complications or death. No more.
  New mothers should have access to postpartum care, regardless of 
which State they live in. Extending postpartum care under Medicaid will 
save lives and ensure that mothers are able to see their babies grow 
up.
  Additionally, the Build Back Better Act includes a solution to 
permanently close the Medicaid coverage gap. There are still 12 States 
that have refused to expand Medicaid, and as many as 4 million people 
currently lack access to healthcare because of the coverage gap. No 
more.

                              {time}  1045

  Ensuring that Medicaid is available to everyone who needs it will 
reduce emergency room visits, allow for an increased focus on 
preventive care and save us money in the long run. Closing the coverage 
gap will also help address the Black maternal health crisis.
  Because of the Medicaid coverage gap, many women are not eligible for 
care until they become pregnant, and by the time they get approved, 
they have missed out on weeks or even months of prenatal and early 
pregnancy care during these critical early days of pregnancy.
  Access to healthcare in the early days of pregnancy is crucial in 
detecting and treating pregnancy-related complications with both mother 
and baby. Closing the coverage gap will ensure that new mothers have 
access to care when they need it most.
  With Build Back Better, we are tackling health equity issues from 
babies to older adults. Once we pass the Build Back Better Act, we will 
begin including dental, vision, and hearing coverage for seniors 
through Medicare Part B.
  Dental coverage will include cleaning and x-rays, extractions, oral 
disease management services, and dentures--all vital dental procedures 
and care that seniors both need and deserve. Many people may not 
realize it, but oral health has significant impacts on your overall 
health, and poor oral health has been linked to heart disease, kidney 
disease, and dementia.
  Including dental coverage will help so many people, but it will be 
especially important for people of color. According to a Kaiser Family 
Foundation study, 71 percent of Black Medicare beneficiaries and 65 
percent of Hispanic beneficiaries went without a dental visit in the 
past year, compared to 43 percent of White beneficiaries. No more.
  Ultimately, these policies are not just about saving lives, but 
improving lives. We are investing in the health and safety of our 
constituents and their ability to live long, happy, and healthy lives 
with their families.
  Our healthcare system has been pushed to its limits throughout the 
past 18 months, and we have been shown, under a bright light, the 
cracks in its foundation. But it is not beyond repair. Through 
meaningful investment, we can rebuild our healthcare system in a way 
that works for everyone and addresses centuries-long challenges to 
achieving health equity.
  The Build Back Better Act presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity 
for us to advance health equity. I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation.

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