Frank Pallone Jr.

Critics of the Affordable Care Act have frequently claimed that the law would have a negative impact on jobs and the overall health of the U.S. economy. But these claims have not been borne out by the facts.

Simply put, health reform is contributing to lower health care costs which benefits families and employers by helping free up capital for saving, investing and hiring.

The latest job numbers released last week showed that over 6 million private sector jobs were created since we passed the Affordable Care Act, and 750,000 of those jobs are in the health care sector.

Fighting fraud across all health care settings is critical.

I want to commend you for holding today's hearing. As our first Health Subcommittee of the 113th Congress, I think it sends a strong message that fixing the Sustainable Growth Rate system is our top priority, and I know it is certainly my…

If the Republicans had their way, over 1.2 million young adults would lose their insurance coverage through their parents' health plan as their children worked to launch their careers.

Enough is enough. Let us move on to the real priorities of the American people, and that is jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs.

It is unfortunate that this legislation is also a part of an ongoing attempt by my Republican colleagues to do away with government regulation.

I am extremely disappointed in today's hearing topic because for too long, too many hardworking Americans paid the price for policies that handed free rein to insurance companies, and so Democrats did something about it.

If the Republicans had their way, insurance companies would have free rein to drop someone's coverage unexpectedly when they are in an accident or become sick because of a simple mistake on an application.

Where we start from is what if we don't have healthcare reform? That is what we see as the job killer.

If we go forward with health reform and reduce costs, then firms can invest that money.

I think the ACA is in fact helping to create thousands of jobs in the public and private healthcare sectors.

I really have to object today on many levels. You know, this hearing has essentially become a farce.

It seems to me that this is the least we can do to try to stop excessive premium increases.

These increases are crippling America's small businesses in my opinion, not health reform.

One of the regulations that Republicans are attacking here today is the so-called rate review regulation, which I think requires very little of health insurers.

I can't support and never have supported H.R. 5, but I do understand that medical malpractice and liability is a real problem for doctors in my home State in the country.

The $250,000 cap is just unworkable and unrealistic.

I don't believe that just having caps is going to truly control premiums.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in eliminating these testing disparities and the preventable tragedies they produce.

This system essentially subjects newborns with detectable disorders to a game of 'Russian Roulette'.

There is no uniform federal standard for screening newborn infants for hereditary disorders.

the dedication of the Jeremiah F. Regan Library/Media Center will stand for years to come as a tribute to the public service of an outstanding citizen and community leader.

I hope he will continue to play an important role in public affairs.