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Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this legislation which would push health coverage beyond the reach of millions of Americans.
The Congressional Budget Office predicts that enacting this legislation could result in roughly 22 million more people living without health insurance. These people are single parents struggling to cover basic necessities, young adults trying to launch their careers and start families, and hardworking couples for whom the cost of insurance won't fit in the monthly budget.
Without affordable health coverage, these Americans will be living with perpetual fear, fear that they will need to choose between paying for housing or food and getting treatment, and fear that any medical emergency could lead them into bankruptcy.
To make things worse, this bill defunds Planned Parenthood, which would undermine access to reproductive health services and preventive care for women. That is not only wrong, it is counterproductive.
It is unfortunate that, at the start of a new year, we are debating a regressive proposal that would make the lives of some of our most vulnerable friends and neighbors even less secure.
I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will acknowledge that this bill is irresponsible and join me in voting ``no.''
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