Lois Capps: “I thank my colleague. I rise today in strong opposition to this bill that would take away insurance protections and new…”

“I thank my colleague. I rise today in strong opposition to this bill that would take away insurance protections and new access to health care from tens of thousands on the central coast of California. Thanks to this law, families are telling me they no longer need to worry that their children will be denied insurance due to a preexisting health condition. In my district alone, 9,500 students--young adults--now have health insurance through their parents' plan. A young college graduate recently came up to me at the grocery store thanking me for the peace of mind as he's looking for a job. In my community, 59,000 seniors now receive free preventive care and thousands of seniors in the dreaded doughnut hole have received discounts for prescription drugs, saving an average of $610. Now some folks around here may not think that much of a savings of $600. But for so many, this makes a world of difference. Indeed, one of my constituents, Ella May from Nipomo, wrote this to me, saying that thanks to this law, ``I won't be impoverished again by the cost of my medicines.'' But this House majority has set up yet another vote to take away these benefits from Ella May, from my community, and from the Nation. Mr. Speaker, we should be working to stimulate growth in our economy and spur job creation, not voting for a 31st time on repealing this law. I urge my colleagues to reject this bill.”