Yvette Clarke: “I would like to, first of all, thank the gentlewoman from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester) for introducing this very…”

“I would like to, first of all, thank the gentlewoman from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester) for introducing this very important legislation, and thank Chairman Scott for yielding me time and for his leadership and support in continuing to provide access to quality healthcare for working families. As vice chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, I am happy to stand with my colleagues on the Education and Labor Committee to urge my colleagues to support the Strengthening Healthcare and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act. While H.R. 987 is not a panacea to the many challenges that we face in our Nation's healthcare delivery system, it is sound legislation that will reduce drug pricing and increase market competition to bring generic drugs to the market sooner. It improves the lives of Americans by lowering the cost of premiums and out-of-pocket expenses and that presents real financial hardships to Americans who have to struggle with limited resources and ask themselves, Do I pay for medication, or do I purchase food, or school fees, or transportation to and from work? While my home State of New York has banned the sale of short-term health insurance plans, they are legal in other states and often do not provide a comprehensive level of healthcare insurance and coverage in the event of an emergency. Mr.…”