MSNBC "The Ed Show" - Transcript: Running on the Affordable Care Act

Interview

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REP. MARCY KAPTUR, (D) OHIO: Great to be with you, Ed.

SCHULTZ: Eric Cantor, all of a sudden, it`s been four years and 50 votes. They`re coming up with an alternative. What do you think it`s going to look like?

KAPTUR: I can`t imagine it will be good. I remember when they -- we`re afraid to stand up to the pharmaceutical companies and they didn`t allow us to bulk buy prescription drugs and to save the American people money. And now, people are paying so much more for their prescriptions all over this country. So, I don`t think you`re going to see much from the other side of the aisle. Democrats really created Medicare. We created social security.

And yes, the majority of us voted for the Affordable Care Act in the state that I represent, Ohio. 79,000 new Ohioans people who did not have insurance before, people who has changed their insurance plan have now registered under the new program, and people have until March 31st to select among many plans. They have many more choices.

SCHULTZ: Congresswoman, do you go home and run on Obamacare on the Affordable Care Act?

KAPTUR: You know what`s happening in Ohio? People are coming up to me and thanking me. I had a couple the other day that had two children. Both of whom had mental illness and they could never get insurance, they can get insurance now.

SCHULTZ: So, you run on it?

KAPTUR: You bet, yeah.

SCHULTZ: OK. What .

KAPTUR: You bet. Yeah, we run on it. And you know what, and people are going to find out -- as one small businessman said to me, "Marcy, I can now get a plan. I had a $10,000 deductible. My wife and I, he`s a shoe maker back home, he thanked me for voting for the bill." I think people are going to find that across the board. If we can land a man on the moon and adjust the trajectory a bit, we can do this too.

SCHULTZ: What`s your response to the Supreme Court case over these companies that are going to have to provide contraception? They say that a conception coverage -- they say that it goes against their religious beliefs.

KAPTUR: Well, I think people can hold to their own religious beliefs, but if someone works for a company and they want to select among a choice of options in plans, they should have the right to do that. Not everyone will select that particular option, but I think that should be open to people and it`s not mandated and it is by choice.

SCHULTZ: Why do you think Republicans continue to waste their time trying to repeat all the law? What has been in your opinion the mission of 50 votes? Just to keep it out their in front of the public?

KAPTUR: I think it`s political. I think that is using fear rather than hope. We all, those of us that voted for it -- voted for the hope, that all Americans would have decent insurance. In the region that I represent, 75 percent of the families that fall into bankruptcy do so because of the cost of health insurance. They go health insurance bankrupt basically. They can`t afford to pay their bills.

This basically says there are no lifetime limits. If somebody gets sick in your family, it`s not your fault. And that we as a country do this to build a healthier nation, to build a stronger society. We can get there.

SCHULTZ: Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, I know you represent the folks in Lorain, Ohio. Those are some proud Americans and they speak highly of you. Keep up the fight. I appreciate your time tonight, thank you.

KAPTUR: Thank you. You know, people can register for a plan until the end of March.

SCHULTZ: Yes.

KAPTUR: They just have to call 1-800-318-2596, and a navigator will walk them through the dozens of plans that they are eligible for.

SCHULTZ: Navigators, all good. Thinks that`s too is what the Republicans have chased out of the neighborhood down in Florida. Thank you Congresswoman, I appreciate your time.

Let me bring in Dr. Corey Hebert, Professor at LSU Sciences Center. Dr. Hebert, you know, here we go again, it`s been four years since Obamacare was passed, how do you think it`s going from? And where`s the March from all the Doctors who have a hard time with Obamacare? How come all the doctors aren`t quitting? How come we`re not seeing all the press conferences with the doctors if it`s so bad?

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