Rising Healthcare Costs

Floor Speech

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Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of National Health Month, let me put some quotes out there from individuals that I represent.

Just in Ohio, we know health insurance will become unaffordable for tens of thousands of people across our northwest Ohio district, over half a million Ohioans, and 15 million Americans.

Please let me share some examples. A constituent from Clyde, Ohio, said it clearly: High insurance prices will allow people to die by making healthcare unaffordable. It was terrible before the ACA. We need affordable health insurance.

Another citizen from Edon in Williams County shared how their medications had become so costly that they now have to seek out patient assistance programs. Their prescription insurance has increased by $119 a month, which is unmanageable on a fixed income.

A Toledo resident told me that everything is going up. Groceries cost more as well as childcare and rent. Unless Congress acts, health insurance premiums for us will double. Our family cannot make it. We don't have an extra $100 per month.

Mr. Speaker, I hope you are listening to these pleas because unless we address the cost of health insurance in this country, too many people are going to die.

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