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Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my opposition to H.R. 45, which would repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act has significantly improved access to health care for Americans, and I strongly support it.
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions of Texans are already seeing lower health care costs and receiving better insurance coverage. Over 7.5 million Texans now have no lifetime limit on most health insurance benefits, which will protect them from having their insurance cut off if they require significant medical care.
The Affordable Care Act has lowered prescription drug costs for over 200,000 seniors in Texas by closing the gap in drug coverage known as the ``donut hole.'' It has also allowed 357,000 young adults in Texas, who might otherwise be uninsured, to gain coverage through their parents' plan. Over 1.5 million consumers in Texas have received rebates from insurance companies because under the Affordable Care Act, insurers must spend at least 80 percent of premiums on medical care and quality improvement rather than CEO pay, profits, and administrative costs.
The Affordable Care Act also promotes equal treatment for women. Starting in 2014, insurers will not be allowed to charge women higher premiums than men simply because of their gender. Because of the Affordable Care Act, insured women are already able to receive critical preventive services such as mammograms, birth control, and well-woman visits without paying any out-of-pocket fees.
Today marks the 37th time that Republicans have voted to repeal or defund the Affordable Care Act. Unfortunately, Republicans seem to be treating the legislative calendar of the U.S. House of Representatives as a playing field for their political games. Instead, we should be working hard for the American people by passing legislation to create jobs, spur economic growth, and reform our broken immigration system.
The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land and it is working. Up to 17 million children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied health insurance, and nearly 13 million Americans have received $1.1 billion in rebates from their insurance companies. Texans cannot afford to lose the crucial health benefits that the Affordable Care Act provides. That is why I plan to vote against H.R. 45 and all future efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. I am proud to stand with my colleagues and the President to support a health system that provides security, accountability, and peace of mind to Americans.
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