Doris Matsui: “I rise in strong opposition to the rule and the bill before us. The bill would increase the national deficit by $230…”

“I rise in strong opposition to the rule and the bill before us. The bill would increase the national deficit by $230 billion, increase costs to individuals, families, and small business owners, and deny the American public the consumer protections they have been seeking for years. Repeal of the health care law would also mean that young adults would not be able to stay on their parents' plan. This is something that would have devastating effects on constituents of mine such as Elizabeth. Shortly after graduating college, she was dropped from her parents' plan and soon developed a severe thyroid condition. As a result, she had to purchase her own individual insurance plan, which proved to be a severe financial hardship for her and her parents. Thankfully, she was able to re-enroll under her parents' plan as of January 1 because of this health reform bill. Repeal would also mean that senior citizens in Sacramento would not see any relief from the Medicare part B doughnut hole. The health reform bill would close the doughnut hole, which is critical to seniors in my district. One such senior, Gary, regularly pays over $2,000 a month for his prescription drugs. Repeal would mean that Gary and the thousands of other seniors in my district would see no relief from this part D doughnut hole. This is unacceptable.”