Congressman Butterfield on Committee Passage of Build Back Better Act

Statement

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) released the following statement on the passage of the Committee on Energy and Commerce's portion of the House Budget Reconciliation Package and Biden Administration's Build Back Better Act:

"Today, the Committee on Energy and Commerce passed bold legislation that will revitalize our economy, lower costs for American families, and combat the worsening climate crisis," said Congressman Butterfield. "The healthcare portions of the Build Back Better Act are historic investments in the American people. In this bill we strengthen the Medicaid program by closing the Medicaid coverage gap, expand Medicare benefits to cover dental, vision, and hearing services, provide investments to expand access to home and community based services for millions of older adults and those with disabilities, permanently extend the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and provide pregnant women on Medicaid with a year of postpartum coverage.

"The Build Back Better Act permanently closes the Medicaid coverage gap, expanding access to healthcare for 207,000 people in North Carolina, including 17,000 working families, seniors, veterans, and children living in the First Congressional District. Affordable, quality care like Medicaid is associated with better health outcomes, lower maternal mortality, and increased economic mobility. No longer will access to healthcare be held hostage to the political whims of Republican lawmakers."

"The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the homework gap, digital divide, and acutely displayed the lack of resources many students and schools face. The Build Back Better Act continues Congressional Democrats' efforts to bridge the homework gap and digital divide by providing an additional $4 billion to the Emergency Connectivity Fund to ensure students, school staff, and library patrons have internet connectivity and devices at locations other than a school or a library.

"The climate crisis is here, and this legislation ensures we are taking meaningful action now that will impact generations to come. The climate crisis poses a great danger to our state, our nation, and the world. The Build Back Better Act makes necessary, historic investments in our communities and our economy, putting the United States and states like North Carolina on the path to both a cleaner and more prosperous future."

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