Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015.

This is the product of several years of sustained bipartisan work, and, today, we can finish the job. This is a critically important piece of legislation for seniors because it is going to strengthen and preserve the Medicare Program, and it is going to put an end to the perennial drills that threaten seniors' access to high-quality care, the care that they deserve.

H.R. 2 is a result of bipartisan compromise. I am sure my friends on both sides of the aisle can agree, as my good friend from Oregon identified, that it isn't perfect, but I am pleased that they will also extend funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program. Just like our seniors, we need to make sure that our kids have access to high-quality, affordable care. We also continue to support community health centers, which provide quality care for those of lesser means.

Since 2002, Congress has passed 17 patches to avert the SGR's draconian cuts. These patches avoid crisis, but they don't do anything to preserve or improve the Medicare Program for current and future seniors, so I am delighted that, together, we can finally forge a lasting solution.

This isn't just good for seniors' care and for our healthcare workforce; it is a sign that partisan differences in Washington can be bridged to address our biggest challenges. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I hope the Senate will send it to the President and get it signed quickly.

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