For 7 years, over 60 times my Republican colleagues have voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Now I believe that access to affordable and quality health care is a right for all, not a privilege for some.

Gutting Medicaid would be a disaster for 74 million Americans including nearly a million New Mexicans.

I have to believe this comes down to the fact that the leaders of the Grand Old Party don't think that some people are grand enough to deserve health care.

Hypocrisy isn't a term that I use lightly. Unfortunately today hypocrisy is the word that readily comes to mind.

In New Mexico, right now, we have an issue before us where the State of New Mexico under Governor Susana Martinez unnecessarily suspended payments to 15 behavioral health providers.

I applaud all the work that Congressman Kennedy is doing in this space to continue much of the work that has been done by the Kennedy family.

I think everyone on this panel would support full funding of that legislation.

I thank my colleague and friend, Congressman Joe Kennedy, for his efforts to build on his family's legacy.

We have seen really catastrophic effects for people. Their conditions get much worse.

We have grave concern and we are looking for some support.

There is absolutely a connection between lack of addressing mental health and substance use services and deterioration of other health conditions.