Velazquez on GOP Bill to Roll Back Affordable Care Act

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) delivered the following remarks on the House floor today in opposition to H.R. 3350, the latest Republican attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act:

“Mr. Speaker, let’s be clear about the bill before us today. This bill is not an attempt to help Americans keep their insurance plans. The President already announced a plan to help address that goal. Instead, this bill takes a meat cleaver approach – allowing insurance companies to market inadequate policies to new enrollees.

“Remember the bad old days when preexisting conditions were discriminated against? This bill brings back that practice. Remember women paying more for coverage simply because of their gender? That’s ‘A-OK’ under this bill. Remember annual caps that let insurance companies stop paying when a consumer came down with an expensive illness? That’s back, too.

“And what about small businesses facing double digit hikes in their premium costs?

“If we want to take up targeted legislation helping those whose policies are being discontinued, then let’s do that. But let’s call this bill what it is -- a return to the days when insurance companies preyed on working families -- and the 46th attempt to repeal the affordable care act. I yield back.”

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