On the recordNovember 8, 2017
let me begin by acknowledging the leadership that Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray have offered and also by saying how much I have appreciated the hard work that Senator King from Maine has participated in, as well, in this process. They have worked together, side by side, to try to find some common ground while still retaining and protecting the principles they all hold with regard to how health insurance, long term, should be approached. Coming to a bipartisan agreement on this very important piece of legislation is only the first step. As you know, a deal was announced last month to give States permanent flexibility to avoid some of ObamaCare's most crushing mandates, while also temporarily authorizing the cost sharing reduction, or CSR, payments for 2 years. That is what the piece of legislation we are referring to in this particular case, the Alexander- Murray legislation, would do. This agreement is a win for conservatives who have spent the past 7 years promising to relieve the American people of ObamaCare's skyrocketing premiums, limited choices, and Federal chokehold. For the first time since ObamaCare was forced onto the American public, the Alexander-Murray legislation is an opportunity to provide permanent, meaningful opportunities for States to opt out of some of ObamaCare's most egregious mandates under the 1332 waiver program, while making healthcare more affordable for their constituents. As a former Governor, like my colleagues Mr.…
Source
govinfo.gov




