Frank Pallone: “I will close at this time, and yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, let me say over again--and I know we've…”

“I will close at this time, and yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, let me say over again--and I know we've had this debate so many times that it really sounds like we just keep repeating the same thing--that this is a very important day at some level because the fact of the matter is the Republicans continue with this effort to try to repeal what is probably one of the most important pieces of legislation that has ever passed in the last few years in the Congress and has been signed by the President. The reason is that, for the first time, when the Affordable Care Act fully kicks in, most Americans--probably 98.99 percent of Americans-- will have health insurance. We estimate maybe 30, 40--perhaps more-- million Americans right now do not have health insurance. {time} 1610 There are probably as many who are what we call ``underinsured.'' In other words, they can't really buy a good benefit package. The fact of the matter is, by 2014, when the Affordable Care Act fully kicks in, you'll be able to go on an exchange either in your State or anywhere in the country and find a good benefit package, one that's as good probably as what you would get now under Blue Cross or Blue Shield, good benefits at a good price. That is an amazing thing. We've been here for 200 years in this country and were never able to say that that would actually happen.…”