Extensions of Remarks E135 EXTENSIONS of REMARKS
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February 9, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E135 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS RESTORING AMERICANS’ risk pools. Unlike Obamacare, which created earns JUST half of what other Michigan HEALTHCARE FREEDOM REC- an already oversubscribed Federal high risk households earn. ONCILIATION ACT OF 2015—VETO pool, AHCA returns those concerns to the Even before the water switched from Detroit MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT states, provides the necessary funding to sus- to the Flint River, Flint had fallen on hard OF THE UNITED STATES tain them, and caps the premiums in those times. plans. Additionally, AHCA tax incentives to It was a city in need and instead of taking SPEECH OF equalize the treatment of employer-sponsored action, Governor Rick Snyder balanced the HON. TOM COLE coverage and those purchased in the private budget at the expense of Flint children, their health and their safety. OF OKLAHOMA market. In addition to ensuring healthy com- Even after residents complained of brown IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES petition across the market place, it also en- sures that if one loses their job, they do not water coming out of the taps, the state in- Tuesday, February 2, 2016 necessarily have to lose their health insur- sisted nothing was wrong. Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ex- ance. Third, AHCA would provide real com- But not everyone got the same treatment. press my profound disappointment in Presi- petition among insurers, by allowing Ameri- Last January—a full year ago—state work- dent Obama’s recent decision to veto H.R. cans to purchase health insurance products ers complained about the quality of water. 3762, the Restoring Americans’ Healthcare across state lines and by permitting small While Flint residents were told the water was Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015. It is im- businesses to pool together to negotiate better perfectly safe, the state employees were pro- portant to be clear and stand with my constitu- rates. AHCA is the type of legislation needed vided with bottled water. ents in voting to override the President’s veto to replace a bloated, government-run Even before that, in October 2014, the Flint of legislation that is a story of broken promises healthcare system which has left a trail of bro- General Motors factory complained that the by President Obama and the Democrats who ken promises in its wake. water was corroding car parts. The city helped voted in favor of this legislation. I am pleased to vote to override the Presi- General Motors tap into a different, safer I want to spend a few minutes describing dent’s veto of H.R. 3762. While I know this water line. just a few of the promises made during con- vote will not be successful, I am pleased that While officials lined up to protect state em- sideration of Obamacare which have sadly the President has finally had to confront the ployees and corporate profits, the residents of failed to come to fruition. First, Mr. Speaker, issues that the American people have with his Flint were fed lies and lead. President Obama repeatedly told the Amer- signature piece of legislation, the so-called Pa- Madam Speaker—I have to ask: Would this have happened in another city, ican people that ‘‘If you like your health care tient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Un- where the residents had the advantage of plan, you’ll be able to keep it’’. Sadly, in re- fortunately, Obamacare is none of these wealth? ality, it couldn’t be further from the truth. More things. I urge all my colleagues to vote in Or do these gross breaches of public trust than 4.7 million people received cancellation favor of overriding the President’s veto. only happen in cities where politicians see the notices in the fall of 2013, right before f residents as expendable? Obamacare went into effect. Politifact, no CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE Sadly, I think we all know the answer to that friend to conservatives, even went as far as question. labeling the President’s promise the ‘‘Lie of CAUCUS: THE FLINT, MICHIGAN, WATER CRISIS Tragically, this isn’t the first time a poor the Year.’’ town has been poisoned—and then ignored. Secondly, while Obamacare promised lower SPEECH OF In far too many low-income communities healthcare costs and lower premiums, this and communities of color across the country, couldn’t be further from the truth. First, on HON. BARBARA LEE this story is very familiar. lower healthcare costs, according to CMS’ OF CALIFORNIA They, like the families in Flint, have had own actuaries, overall spending on healthcare IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES their health, their well-being and their futures is expected to rise by $621 billion over 10 Wednesday, February 3, 2016 traded in by callous politicians more con- years due to the law, at an average of 5.8% cerned with expanding corporate profits than per year. That’s more than double our pro- Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I’d like to thank serving the public good. jected GDP growth, and a higher rate than be- Congressman DAN KILDEE for his tireless work It’s past time for Congress to take steps to fore Obamacare. The story on premiums is no to bring justice for the residents of Flint. His address environmental racism and ensure that better. While President Obama promised lower work, and the work of Congressman JOHN everyone—no matter their zipcode—has the premiums, as John Adams stated, ‘‘facts are CONYERS, Congresswoman BRENDA LAW- opportunity to grow up safe and healthy. stubborn things’’. The facts are that the aver- RENCE, Congresswoman DEBBIE DINGELL, and President Obama took the first step by de- age premium for a family plan has increased so many Members of the Michigan Delegation, claring a state of emergency and extending by $18,610 from 2009–2013, and the overall is essential to providing the families of Flint a $80 million in federal funding. cost of premium increases have been over voice as we address this crisis. But more can and must be done to address $1.2 trillion. Madam Speaker, the situation in Flint is this public health crisis and ensure that this Third, Mr. Speaker, Obamacare promised nothing short of a tragedy—and a tragedy that never happens again—in any community, any- more choice, more competition, and lower could have been prevented. where. costs. Well, unfortunately, that is just not the Every day, we learn more information about When I was in the California legislature, I case in Oklahoma, like many other states how Michigan public officials sacrificed the worked to pass one of the first state bills regu- across the country. In fact, fewer insurers offer health and futures of Flint residents in order to lating lead. This toxin was disproportionately fewer options at higher prices than when save a few dollars in water costs. impacting communities of color. I have seen Obamacare was passed, over my objections. This is a shame and a disgrace. The people firsthand the devastating impact of lead on Obamacare is not the answer and the Amer- of Flint deserve better from their leaders. children. ican people know that. As Members of Congress, we cannot stand I support the work of my colleagues who are Instead, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to co- silent while Americans are poisoned. demanding state and local officials are held sponsor the American Health Care Reform Act First, to truly understand this crisis—you accountable for this man-made disaster, a dis- of 2015 (AHCA), which I support as an alter- have to understand Flint. aster that never should have happened. native to a government-managed health care Flint is a majority African American city and The tragedy in Flint reveals the real impacts law. This legislation would provide a number the average household income is just $24,834 of structural and institutional racism and of market-driven solutions to ensure everyone a year—that’s barely HALF the average classism on our community. I stand with the seeking coverage will be able to obtain it. household income for the state. Let me say people of Flint in my outrage and will continue First, it expands federal support for state high that again, the average household in Flint to demand answers. ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:36 Feb 10, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A09FE8.001 E09FEPT1 smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E136 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 9, 2016 As we do so, we must come together to ad- NATIONAL TRAUMA INSTITUTE Peoria Charter Coach Company started in dress the impacts of lead poisoning on Flint’s RECOGNITION Lacon, Illinois under Walter Winkler who had residents, particularly Flint’s children. Be- nothing but the earnest desire to put his com- cause, sadly, for them, this crisis is just begin- HON. WILL HURD munity first. After seeing his fellow citizens ning. struggle to travel to work due to the World OF TEXAS War II gas rations, he opened a bus service IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f so that others around him could safely com- IN RECOGNITION OF PINE FORGE Tuesday, February 9, 2016 mute to work to earn their paychecks. ACADEMY Mr. HURD of Texas. Mr. Speaker, traumatic Seventy-five years later and now injury in America affects everyone, claiming headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, four genera- HON.