Breaking the Gridlock Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in defense of affordable healthcare for all Americans, even though my own constituents are not afforded the same benefits as Americans living in the 50 States. We are not part of the exchange. We have no SSI. We have caps on Medicaid in jurisdictions, unlike elsewhere.

If my colleagues need a clear illustration of what happens when Affordable Care Act benefits are taken away, look to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, which are excluded from those. Our healthcare system is in crisis. Hospitals operate under Medicare formulas from the 1980s with chronic shortages of supplies, medication, equipment, and staff.

Patients bring sheets and diapers to the hospital. Doctors pool their money to pay vendors. Hospital funding gaps exceed $34 million. More than 3,000 people have lost Medicaid. Puerto Rico's capped Medicaid funding forced reliance on borrowing and debt, which contributed to their 2017 bankruptcy.

The failure to extend enhanced premium tax credits has doubled healthcare costs for 20 million Americans. My colleagues don't want the healthcare system we have. Pass this legislation.

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