Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Congress has made unprecedented strides this year in the fight to reform our nation’s health insurance system and provide coverage to all Americans, and today’s vote represents a historic culmination of these vast, collaborative efforts.  This transformative bill offers real solutions for Rhode Islanders by providing better access to affordable, quality health care coverage and finally puts America back on the path to an efficient and sustainable health care system.

This summer, I traveled across the district to meet with Rhode Islanders and discuss health reform.  I met with constituents who had health insurance all their lives, but then lost it when they were diagnosed with cancer.  I met with small business owners who provided coverage for their employees for decades, but were forced to discontinue it when they could no longer keep up with skyrocketing costs.  And I met with parents who were desperate to protect their childrens’ health, but feared they would soon run up against lifetime insurance caps. 

All of these stories conveyed the same message -- health care costs in the United States are rising at an unsustainable rate, and they are placing a huge burden on Rhode Island families, employers and health care providers.   This year alone, over 13,000 Rhode Islanders lost their insurance coverage due to rising unemployment.  And those who still have coverage are struggling with rising premiums, co-pays and crushing medical debt.  Meanwhile, yearly double-digit premium increases are forcing businesses to choose between keeping their employees’ health coverage and keeping their employees. 

As a longtime advocate of universal health care, I made a promise to my constituents to change the status quo of health care in America.  The time for inaction is over -- we must join together to pass this bill.

H.R. 3962 will institute the changes we need to provide more security and stability to Americans who have health insurance, guarantee insurance to the millions who don’t, and lower health care costs for our families, businesses and the government. 

This legislation builds on the strengths of our current employer-based system by encouraging businesses who offer their own coverage to continue doing so.  Americans who don’t have coverage through their employer will be able to shop for their choice of a health plan through a new “health insurance exchange,” modeled after the tried and true Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, which successfully provides coverage for over 9 million federal employees, retirees and their dependents. 

Unlike the limited options that are available to most consumers today, the exchange will provide a more convenient, transparent and affordable way to choose among a variety of health plans that meets individual needs.  Americans who cannot afford to purchase coverage within the exchange will receive financial assistance to ensure that they can obtain comprehensive coverage. Additionally, small businesses will receive tax credits that will make it more affordable to offer insurance to their employees.