Suspending the Individual Mandate Penalty Law Equals Fairness Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 4118, the 50th vote to undermine the Affordable Care Act.
First, let me say, I'm concerned that many Marylanders, including my constituents, are struggling to sign up for health insurance through the state-based Marketplace due to technical issues. With open enrollment coming to a close at the end of the month, I urge the Administration, state governments, and insurance carriers to come together to assist applicants in getting eligibility determinations and enrolling in coverage as soon as possible. I appreciated the guidance provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last week that would allow consumers the possibility of qualifying retroactive health insurance, tax credits and cost-sharing assistance. It's critical that CMS clarify that those individuals who take retroactive coverage will be protected from any undue penalties for the months prior to the effective date of retroactive coverage.
The bill on the floor today is not about helping Marylanders or any other Americans, but rather about dismantling the Affordable Care Act and putting health insurance further out of reach for them. I want to be clear: the requirement that individuals take responsibility for ensuring they have adequate health insurance coverage was an idea espoused by the Heritage Foundation in the late 1980s. It was carefully crafted and includes exemptions for individuals facing hardships and those who can't afford insurance. Delaying the provision for everyone for a year, according to the Congressional Budget Office, would increase the number of uninsured by one million this year and two million in 2015, and lead to higher premiums. It's obvious that delaying the provision will undermine the protections and reforms that have taken effect and will introduce more instability into market.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the House leadership to put an end to these Affordable Care Act repeal votes. We want to work with you to identify parts of the law that can be improved and develop serious solutions. Unfortunately, today's bill is not one of them. I urge my colleagues to oppose it.
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