Providing for Consideration of H.R. 596, Repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the
gentleman from Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank the
Republican majority.
As a new Member, I haven't had the opportunity to speak on this issue
on the House floor or vote on it. When I saw that the previous Congress
had voted 55 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, I was a little
concerned that I would miss all the fun. So I am very happy that we now
have a 56th vote on this issue, and it gives me an opportunity to say
what a strong supporter I am of the Affordable Care Act.
This has worked. More than 10 million Americans have health insurance
today that otherwise would not have it. More than 3 million children
have been able to stay on their parents' plan who otherwise would not
have had health insurance. And another 3 million, on top of that, have
extra protections through State-affiliated agencies, such as CHIP, that
would not have it today if not for the Affordable Care Act.
Now, with the rate of the uninsured at its lowest percentage in
American history, you would think that with this success that maybe the
downside would be that health care costs would have gone through the
roof. In fact, quite the opposite has happened. We have just had a year
in which health care costs rose by the lowest rate in 50 years--and
this is something that all Americans can celebrate, Democrats and
Republicans.
So, Mr. Speaker, for the 56th time, this Congress will attempt to
repeal the entire Affordable Care Act. It is a mistake. I will join my
colleagues in voting against it.
I would say sincerely to Members on the other side, if there are
those who are willing to look openly at this issue and say, yes, it has
largely worked but let's address those areas that could do better, I
think you will find those, particularly new Members on this side of the
aisle, who are open-minded toward that and want to address areas that
can be improved. Look at all the times that Medicare has been improved
since its initial passage in 1965.
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