Obamacare

Floor Speech

Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, since ObamaCare was first passed, we've known that it would cause premiums to rise and increase the cost of health insurance for millions of Americans.

One issue that has not been talked about enough is the serious threat to the access of quality care for patients, especially in the rural parts of the country that I represent. This is a very serious issue in my district, and one of the main reasons that I support defunding this bill.

As we get closer to the October 1 release date of the individual health insurance plans under ObamaCare, the threat of reduced access is quickly becoming the reality. Because of ObamaCare, one of the largest health insurers in Georgia is eliminating 40 percent of their contracts with hospitals and 30 percent of the contracts with doctors in the State and ending all voluntary out-of-State coverage.

For my constituents in rural Georgia, we already face a shortage of care. In small rural communities, working-class patients have a more difficult time accessing the hospital or doctor that they may need.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues and the American people to look at the facts and ask: What good is a health insurance card when a patient cannot find a doctor or hospital that takes it? That's one of the reasons that I stand before you in strong support of defunding this destructive law and putting in place commonsense, market-based reforms.

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