Providing for Consideration of H.R. 2, Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, And Providing for Proceedings During the Period from March 27, 2015, Through April 10, 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. AGUILAR. I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan compromise that we will address this
afternoon over SGR will strengthen Medicare by lowering costs and by
ensuring that seniors have the doctors of their choice. While this
agreement has important provisions, including critical
programs to help low-income seniors, families, and children, it does
fall short in a few ways.

As a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I am disappointed that this
deal both ignores the need for women to have access to their healthcare
providers and that it includes an antichoice provision. Today's bill
falls short of measures to increase women's access to necessary health
measures, such as annual exams or prescription medications.

The other troubling aspect of today's bill is the inclusion of the
Hyde amendment, as the gentleman from Massachusetts mentioned. This is
clearly another attack to block access to reproductive care. The
inclusion of this language is disappointing because it permits
antichoice language in an otherwise pragmatic, bipartisan compromise in
exchange for community health center funding.

I plan to support this bipartisan compromise because it solves
longstanding problems and is a step in the right direction.

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