Health Care
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The Congressional Budget Office today released an updated score on the Republican “repeal and replace” health care bill. The results are no surprise to anyone who has been following the debate. The aim of the bill remains the same: raid the Medicaid budget for a huge, inefficient tax cut for the wealthiest Americans. In terms of job creation and economic growth it makes more sense to spend these dollars on health care then on a tax cut. The human toll remains unchanged: 23 million Americans will lose their health care by 2026.
Below is a joint statement by several leading children’s health groups, including The American Academy of Pediatrics, Children’s Defense Fund, Children’s Dental Health Project, Family Voices, First Focus Campaign for Children, March of Dimes, and National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, urging Congress to oppose the American Health Care Act.
American Health Care Act would jeopardize care for children and families
Republican leaders introduced their “repeal and replace” legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives Monday evening. With most media attention focused on President Trump’s unsubstantiated and provocative charges of wire tapping against President Obama most of America first heard of the proposed legislation this morning. President Trump weighed in via Twitter this morning:
Donald J. Trump ? @realDonaldTrump
Our wonderful new Healthcare Bill is now out for review and
negotiation. ObamaCare is a complete and total disaster - is
Donald J. Trump ? @realDonaldTrumpOur wonderful new Healthcare Bill is now out for review and negotiation.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to address underage drinking, a public health and safety issue that is often lost in the pile of other stories in our 24-hour news cycle. Back in 2005, the Federal Trade Commission initiated a consumer education program to reduce underage drinking called ‘‘We Don’t Serve Teens.’’ It is a valuable resource to raise awareness among parents, educators, and other adults that furnishing alcohol to minors is illegal and irresponsible.
Mr. Speaker, every year people all over the country acknowledge National Recovery Month. National Recovery Month recognizes the many thousands of individuals who have successfully recovered from substance use and abuse. There are millions of people at 12 step classes, Alcoholics Anonymous, and other recovery programs meeting every hour of the day and every day of the week. It reminds me of what Henry David Thoreau said, ‘‘I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man [person] to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor’’.
Mr. Speaker, I would much rather be discussing a bill that would get automatic and semiautomatic weapons out of our lives. Nevertheless, I strongly oppose H.R. 1270. This bill gives advantage to the most secure in our country at the expense of the vulnerable. If you really look at it, it is kind of Robin Hood health care in reverse.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Texas for yielding.
Child welfare advocates have used the adjectives ``landmark,'' ``historic,'' and ``trailblazing'' to describe this bill. I wholeheartedly agree with them. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this legislation that begins a fundamental shift in Federal child welfare policy to preserving families rather than separating them.