Rep. Anna Eshoo Rises
Here at the Joyful Moocher we always encourage our reader(s) to check out the Congressional Record from time to time to see just what your Congress has been saying- usually a great deal about nothing; they say a lot and do much less, however there are those that have done much and have important words to share with the rest of us. Many of our favorites represent districts in California, which considering that Willie Mays lives there, doesn’t surprise us.
THE 40TH VOTE TO REPEAL AFFORDABLE CARE ACT — HON. ANNA G. ESHOO (Extensions of Remarks – August 02, 2013)
[Page: E1208]
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OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Friday, August 2, 2013
Ms. ESHOO: Mr. Speaker, there is something extraordinary taking place. Not only are we implementing the Affordable Care Act across 50 states benefitting hundreds of millions of people in our country, but there is simultaneously an effort in the House of Representatives to repeal the law for the 40th time.
Imagine. . .this is not the fourth time, but the 40th time that Republicans are moving to take away rights to which Americans are legally entitled. These are the rights signed into law by the President and confirmed by the United States Supreme Court.
There’s never been such an effort in Congress in the history of our country where a measure has been taken up 40 times. I believe my friends on the other side of the aisle are on the wrong side of history.
I would like to highlight this phenomenon through the lens of constituents and the rights they have and the rights that my Republican colleagues want to take away from them.
They want to reopen the prescription drug donut hole that was created through the program that they supported, costing seniors thousands of out-of-pocket expenses a year.
They want to take away from children the ability to stay on their parents’ insurance policy up to the age of 26.
They want to take away lifetime limit caps on insurance policies. How can anyone argue that lifetime limit caps were ever good policy?
They want to take away preventive services from Americans like mammograms and colonoscopies.
They want to take away health care premiums that are actually spent on medical care instead of advertising.
They want to take away the right to plain language explanations of plan benefits.
And most of all, they want to take away the rights of my constituents to health insurance for those with preexisting conditions.
Thomas Jefferson said in 1808 that “great innovations should not be forced on slender majorities.” I think an overwhelming number of American people would say they are in favor of the rights they have under the Affordable Care Act, versus going back to a time of discriminatory practices of private insurers.
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