Joe Morelle: “I thank the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi) for his eloquence and his leadership on this…”

“I thank the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi) for his eloquence and his leadership on this critically important issue. I rise to express my strong opposition to the Trump administration's efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and pull the rug out from millions of Americans who rely on the ACA for essential health coverage. Quality, affordable healthcare should be a right for every American, and we should make it easier, not harder, for individuals and families to get the insurance they deserve. The House majority made a promise to always offer protections for individuals with preexisting conditions and fight back against those who seek to dismantle their fundamental protections. That is why I am proud to cosponsor a resolution to reverse the administration's cruel attempts to sabotage care for Americans in need, and I thank Mr. Garamendi for his leadership with House Resolution 1884. We will not allow people with preexisting conditions to go back to the days where they were denied coverage when they needed it the most. And I might also say, parenthetically--and I appreciate very much the gentleman from California's leadership as the superintendent of insurance in the State of the California--I had the privilege of working on legislation in New York back in the early nineties as a new member that introduced community rating in the State of New York and offered protections for preexisting conditions.…”