Hoyer Delivers Opening Remarks at Hearing on the Impact of the Republican ACA Repeal Bill
Mariel Saez 202-225-3130
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) delivered opening remarks at House Democrats’ hearing on the impact of the Republican bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act and force Americans to pay more for less coverage. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
"Good morning. I’m pleased to call this hearing to order and to be joined at the dais by Ranking Members Pallone, Neal, and Scott – as well as other House Democrats who are deeply engaged in standing up for Americans’ access to quality, affordable health coverage.
"Democrats are holding this hearing on the impacts of the Republican bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act because Republicans refuse to hold a single hearing on their bill. Not one of the three committees marking up the bill heard a single minute of expert testimony or from any of the tens of millions of Americans who will be negatively affected by its provisions.
“We believe that legislation of such substantial impact ought to be subject to scrutiny and transparency. Democrats are determined to ensure that the American people know what this bill would do and what impact it would have on our people and our economy.
"That’s why we’ve also launched 'resistrepeal.org,' a website where every American can weigh in on this bill and share their views. We’re going to make sure Members of Congress see the results. As you can see from the map on the screen, many Americans have already logged on and weighed in from across the country.
"Today we are going to take a closer look at what the Republican repeal bill would do and how it will impact patients, doctors, families, small businesses, the Medicaid program, the states, and our economy as a whole.
"We will have two panels, the first on the bill’s economic and coverage implications and the second on perspectives from patients and providers.
"But first I’m pleased to yield to my friend from New Jersey, the Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Pallone, for opening remarks."