Pete Aguilar: “I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan compromise that we will address this…”

“I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan compromise that we will address this afternoon over SGR will strengthen Medicare by lowering costs and by ensuring that seniors have the doctors of their choice. While this agreement has important provisions, including critical programs to help low-income seniors, families, and children, it does fall short in a few ways. As a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I am disappointed that this deal both ignores the need for women to have access to their healthcare providers and that it includes an antichoice provision. Today's bill falls short of measures to increase women's access to necessary health measures, such as annual exams or prescription medications. The other troubling aspect of today's bill is the inclusion of the Hyde amendment, as the gentleman from Massachusetts mentioned. This is clearly another attack to block access to reproductive care. The inclusion of this language is disappointing because it permits antichoice language in an otherwise pragmatic, bipartisan compromise in exchange for community health center funding. I plan to support this bipartisan compromise because it solves longstanding problems and is a step in the right direction.”