[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 8, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2846-S2847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                            Health Insurance

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I come to the floor today on behalf of 
9 million Americans who directly benefited from very important health 
insurance credits in the American Rescue Plan--credits that are set to 
expire at the end of the year if Congress doesn't act. I don't believe 
enough attention has been focused on this issue.
  Last year, in March of 2021, we came to this very Chamber and passed 
the American Rescue Plan, which provided a crucial lifeline for so many 
families. We eliminated health insurance premiums for low-wage workers 
making less than 150 percent of the Federal poverty level, expanded 
eligibility for health insurance tax credits to middle-class families, 
and guaranteed that health coverage would not cost more than 8.5 
percent of a person's income. The American Rescue Plan also increased 
the size of the tax credit for all eligible income brackets, putting 
more money in workers' pockets.
  As a result, ACA health insurance premiums were brought down by an 
average of $50 per person per month, and people in both New Mexico and 
in Minnesota took great advantage of that. As a result, a record number 
of Americans--14.5 million Americans--are enrolled in the Affordable 
Care Act health insurance plans. That is 2.5 million more people who 
signed up in a

[[Page S2847]]

single year than ever before. In my home State, that translated to a 
record-low uninsured rate of just 4 percent. That means 96 percent of 
Minnesotans have health insurance, which is a great improvement over 
where it was.
  Millions more Minnesotans and Americans now have the peace of mind 
that comes with affordable, quality health coverage. Eligible 
households in Minnesota have an annual average ACA tax credit of 
$3,600. That is $3,600 freed up for housing, gas, and groceries, while 
maintaining access to healthcare. But unless Congress acts to make the 
enhanced, family-friendly tax credits currently set to expire at the 
end of 2022 permanent, millions of Americans will have the rug pulled 
out from under them, likely seeing a double-digit hike on their health 
insurance premiums. Karen Tumulty, a columnist for the Washington Post, 
called it a ``ticking time bomb.''
  If these tax credits are not made permanent, 70,000 Minnesotans--or 
61 percent of Minnesota families--purchasing health insurance on their 
own could see a 35- to 41-percent increase in their health insurance 
premiums, and over 10,000 Minnesotans could lose their health insurance 
tax credits in 2023 unless Congress acts.
  In my State, Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 would be most 
affected, and you think about this with cost issues and inflation and 
all the things people are already facing. Right now, a 60-year-old 
Minnesota couple with a household income of $75,000 is saving $773 in 
monthly premiums. Taking away those tax credits would increase their 
annual health spending by at least $9,000. That is like taking away 
multiple paychecks.
  It is no wonder that Americans overwhelmingly support making these 
tax credits permanent. Doctors and patients have called on us to 
protect these historic gains in affordability, coverage, and equity. 
Families can't afford to go back to paying upwards of 20 percent or 
more of their monthly income toward healthcare premiums.
  This is important for patients, and it is also important for 
providers. We know--hearing when we are back home--that many hospitals 
are stretched thin right now, and putting millions of Americans' 
healthcare in jeopardy is going to create a lot of volatility as 
patients are forced to disrupt their care and cancel procedures.
  At a time when so many families are struggling to make ends meet, we 
just can't sit back and let those ACA tax credits expire. More 
Americans insured is good for patients, good for families, good for 
communities, and good for our country.
  I would note one other thing I would do when it comes to healthcare, 
and that is making sure that we allow Medicare to negotiate prices 
under Medicare Part D for pharmaceuticals. While our communities are 
facing the potential of this--what the Washington Post called a 
``ticking time bomb''--we also must act when it comes to 
pharmaceuticals because those prices are also going up.
  I have just presented two really straightforward ways that we can 
help families with costs when it comes to healthcare. One is making 
sure we keep in place the tax credits that protect middle-class 
families in this country, and the second is to make sure we allow 
Medicare to negotiate better prices under Medicare Part D because when 
you look at what is happening right now, we continue to see major 
drugs--major drugs--go up, doubling, go up 200 percent, 300 percent, to 
the point where we are already paying double what they pay in Canada 
for a significant number of drugs. For Minnesota, that is right across 
the border.
  We must allow, in my mind, reimportation of less expensive drugs, but 
the biggest game changer would be to lift the ban that the 
pharmaceutical companies got in place in law that says Medicare, 
representing tens of millions of seniors, is not allowed to negotiate 
cheaper prices. That is what the VA does, and it has been really good 
for our veterans. We should allow the same help for 46 million seniors. 
It will be good for all Americans because it will bring down the 
taxpayer expense in part of the payment of drugs, and it will be good 
for individual consumers. So let's get these two things done.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I just want to say I know many of us 
recognized your enormous service yesterday, and we really appreciate it 
and so much today, the day after your 50th birthday, appreciate the 
fact that you are presiding over this august body.
  I yield the floor.