Bob Casey

So we have, I think, an enduring obligation to make sure that every program measures up to the expectations of taxpayers.

I want to start with the value of the SNAP program in a State like Pennsylvania, a big, diverse State with a lot of economic challenges.

This process that they have undertaken and that we've all been participating in stands in marked contrast, dramatic contrast to not just what's been done more recently.

I wanted to start with a commendation of this process, to commend both the Chairman and the Ranking Member.

I get calls and letters pretty much every day from Ohioans who are struggling to afford their medicines and their premiums.

Now is the time for this Congress to come together.

I remain unalterably opposed to any attempt to do what they tried to do in those bills.

We need your voice, we need your expertise, your advocacy, to inject a sense of urgency into a place where urgency is often not the order of the day.

The CHIP program has provided these services for little or no cost. CHIP is a tremendous value.

Thank you very much. I want to thank the ranking member for his leadership on this issue over many years.

The one part about this discussion today that is encouraging... is that there is consensus about the need to make the cost sharing payments.

We are particularly grateful.

I want to reiterate our thanks to you and Ranking Member Murray for these bipartisan hearings.

When I was going across Pennsylvania in August, I was in 32 of our 67 counties, and when I could announce that we were having bipartisan healthcare hearings, there was an audible sigh of relief.

If the Trump administration is not going to do the right thing for consumers and stabilize the law, Congress should allocate funds to ensure payments for cost-sharing reductions continue for 2018.

Failing to make payments for cost-sharing reductions does not serve any goal aside from trying to make markets fail.

I'd be lying if I said these numbers didn't worry me, especially as we prepare to finalize rates.

I am very happy that our insurers are finally seeing improved experience with this market and that is reflected in the rate increases they filed.

Our market saw some issues last year and lost two carriers, but I worked closely with our remaining insurers to ensure that we did not have any bare counties for 2017.

I believe we need to buildupon the foundation of the health care system we have and make targeted, common sense changes that will improve the ACA.

Democrat and Republican, I think we have a lot of agreement about producing documents and being responsive.

I have sent a letter--two letters, actually, since April--requesting this particular document from HHS.

I think we have made some good progress this week with the hearings that have been scheduled.

The President keeps threatening to cut those payments to score what I think is a misguided political win.

If you go the partisan route on taxes, you are trampling on the history of successful tax reform.