Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the Republican's pay-more-for-less healthcare plan. I often repeat the 1966 observation of Martin Luther King, Jr., that, of all the inequalities that exist, the injustice in health care is the most egregious and inhumane. On the day it was passed, I observed that the Affordable Care Act is the Civil Rights Act of the 21st century. Repealing the Affordable Care Act would be inhumane and put egregious forms of discrimination back into our healthcare delivery system. My Republican colleagues and President Trump have promised more coverage and less cost for everyone. However, this plan would allow all States to eliminate essential health benefits, such as maternity and newborn coverage, prescription drugs, hospitalization, emergency coverage, and mental health services. It would also allow States to tax older Americans five times more than younger Americans. Republicans are reneging on their promise to protect Americans with preexisting conditions. Without essential health benefits standards, protections for those with preexisting conditions will exist in name only. Repeal of the essential health benefits would drive a race to the bottom, with insurers dropping coverage for everything from chemotherapy to high-cost drugs. It would precipitate a proliferation of junk policies that have historically plagued unsuspecting low-income communities for years.…”