On the recordMay 9, 2019
I thank my good friend for yielding. Madam Speaker, the administration's guidance permitting junk plans to replace the Affordable Healthcare Act has fooled no one, and certainly not the millions with preexisting conditions and those who now enjoy essential health benefits. The administration's true intent is clear from its support, in court now, as I speak, of a case to repeal the ACA in its entirety, including preexisting conditions. Republicans, historically, have initially opposed virtually every form of coverage for the American people, including Social Security, but they have never succeeded in withdrawing or reducing benefits then in use. They will not succeed this time. In my own District of Columbia, 106,000 residents with preexisting conditions would lose or risk losing or being denied or charged significantly more for health coverage. The District, on its own, has succeeded in overcoming Republican attempts to weaken the ACA and now has reached virtually universal coverage, in spite of a specific attempt to block the city's successful efforts. The administration's junk coverage is particularly untenable in allowing Federal subsidies of junk plans. Republicans failed to overturn the ACA when they controlled majorities in both the House and the Senate. Plans that the administration has put forward to dismember the Act will not succeed either. Because of how insurance works, junk plans put all insured at risk of paying more for insurance.…
