On the recordMarch 10, 2017
Mr. Speaker, today I rise as a proud marine on behalf of countless veterans across America whose healthcare options will vanish if House Republicans succeed in repealing the Affordable Care Act. The ACA has provided an invaluable safety net for our Nation's veterans, fulfilling critical gaps in coverage within the VA system. Mr. Speaker, in the first 2 years after the ACA's implementation, the rate of uninsured veterans dropped by an astonishing 43 percent. This was largely due to the fact that, through the ACA's Medicaid expansion, 7 out of 10 previously uninsured veterans became eligible for coverage. The Republicans' so-called repeal-and-replace plan would slash veterans' options by abandoning our commitment to a more inclusive Medicaid program. Democrats refuse to compromise on care for our Nation's heroes, and we absolutely refuse to compromise in the fight to preserve the lifesaving Affordable Care Act. ____________________





