Gop Attacks on Healthcare

Floor Speech

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Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, as you recall, 8 years ago this week, the Affordable Care Act became law. Since then, we have seen a historic increase in health coverage, with millions of people gaining access to better quality healthcare.

Under the ACA, we saw the nonelderly uninsured rate cut almost in half, from 18 percent to 9.4 percent. Individuals previously denied coverage due to preexisting conditions saw life-changing improvements in benefits and coverage. Seniors, who are finally able to spend less on Medicare coverage and prescription drugs, had a chance at a secure and peaceful retirement.

In my State alone, Wisconsin, 224,000 people became covered by ACA exchanges. From 2013 to 2016, the number of uninsured individuals declined by a whopping 42 percent.

But we all know, Mr. Speaker, that hardworking Americans were taking advantage of this less expensive, superior healthcare coverage while, at the same time, the GOP embarked on their all-out war against the ACA. I mean, they took no prisoners, hell-bent on sabotaging, butchering, and repealing this law at the expense of our Nation's must vulnerable.

I mean, let's get down into the nitty-gritty depths of this depravity.

Mr. Speaker, how do you think, for example, that the GOP, this Congress, is going to pay for the $1.18 trillion deficit hole created by these tax cuts for the richest Americans and for corporations?

Mr. Speaker, you well know the answer. What we are going to do is plunder Medicare and Medicaid. We are going to build public sentiment for these actions by demonizing the poor and targeting people who already have limited access to jobs and healthcare.

Oh, come on now. We all know, Mr. Speaker, that you have been dreaming about slashing Medicaid ever since you were drinking at college keg parties. You said so yourself, Mr. Speaker.

Well, now, with the help of our President, you are acting on your dream. Your dream is coming true. And we have already seen an influx of States, including my own State of Wisconsin, submit work requirement waivers. This administration has already approved three of them, and there are sure to be more.

These attacks are unprecedented. Never has any administration gone this far to kick needy Americans off the only healthcare they have.

My own State's Governor, Scott Walker, is spearheading one of the most restrictive welfare reform proposals in the Nation. He wants harsh work requirements, drug testing restrictions, and other barriers to our State's most at-risk families to access Social Services.

These folks who are being targeted are already struggling to find work, and they are marginally connected to the workforce.

How does throwing them off healthcare help?

I say we need to uphold the ACA.

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