Post by bot on Feb 12, 2017 21:11:27 GMT -5
Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference on the Impact of ACA Repeal on Children
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) discussed the impact of repealing the Affordable Care Act on children at a press conference hosted by Committee on Education & the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03). Below is a transcript of his remarks:
“I want to thank Nancy Pelosi, who was in fact the leader in the adoption of the Affordable Care Act. Those of us who know her and worked with her, she was the Speaker, I was the Majority Leader. It was, I know for Nancy, and for me, it was our proudest moment as legislators. Because it affected every American. Every American, unfortunately some people have been deluded into thinking the Affordable Care Act only effects some people who are part of the market, but they don’t mention pre-existing conditions. That affects every American. Daisy talked about that. These children, one or more may have a preexisting condition and before the Affordable Care Act they may have been left out. That’s why we’re here.
“[Ranking Member] Bobby Scott, thank you very much for your leadership in making this happen. As Leader Pelosi said, everything’s been said that needs to be said, and now we want to hear the stories. I want to also congratulate, I am so proud to be here with [Children’s Defense Fund President and Founder] Marian Wright Edelman. Children, you do not know it yet, but Marian Wright Edelman is the best advocate for children in America. And has been for.. a couple years.
“I am proud to be here with all of you. We don’t want to Make America Sick Again. I have three great-grandchildren and three grandchildren. And they’re going to be sitting in a school, some of them are already sitting in a school and I want that child in front of them healthy. And I may never see that child. But I want him healthy. And I want the child to her right, and the child to his left, and the child behind them healthy. Because if they’re healthy, then my grandchild and great-grandchild is more likely to be healthy. This is about all of us. We don’t want to Make America Sick Again.
“We want to make sure the Affordable Care Act is made even better. We’re prepared to make it better, but we are not prepared to have our Republican colleagues eliminate the protections given to all Americans by the Affordable Care Act without a replacement. We’ll make it better. But we will not allow them to repeal this security that the American people now have.
“Now, I am very pleased to introduce one of the leaders in the passage of the Affordable Care Act, and one of the leaders in making sure the Affordable Care Act continues to be available to the American people, Frank Pallone, the Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.”