Breaking the Gridlock Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill to extend the Affordable Care Act's enhanced premium tax credits through a clean, 3-year extension.

Last year, the Republicans blocked the extension of these credits in the big, ugly bill. With the expiration of the tax credits last month, the health premium costs have skyrocketed, causing millions to lose their coverage.

When more people lose coverage, costs go up for everyone. Uninsured patients often delay seeing a doctor and end up needing more costly care at the emergency room. When there are more uninsured, hospitals, especially in rural areas, face financial hardships and may be forced to close. In other words, those unpaid bills do not disappear. They are shifted onto everybody else, and everyone suffers.

Today, Congress can step in to address the sharp premium increases and provide stability for working families across the country. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and to support affordable healthcare.

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