DeGette Opening Statement At Hearing On Affordable Care Act Implementation
In her opening statement, Rep. DeGette highlighted the benefits the ACA is already providing in Colorado's 1st Congressional District and across the nation. DeGette also encouraged her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure they are helping educate their constituents on implementation of this important law.
Today's hearing, focused on the role of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service's (CMS) and received testimony from CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner.
Rep. DeGette's opening statement, as delivered, is below:
"The Affordable Care Act is now the law of the land and it is already bringing benefits to millions of Americans. Today, we stand before one of the most important moments of the ACA and that is implementation. We are just two months away from the open enrollment period of the insurance exchanges.
"That is why I would encourage my colleagues – from both sides of the aisle – to work on educating constituents on how to make this new law work, for individuals, families, and businesses.
"I remember when we passed the Medicare Part D Bill and the Democrats, frankly, didn't like it. We didn't like the fact that the Administrator could not negotiate prescription drug prices.
"But despite that, we all went out to our districts and we worked with our constituents to let them know how they could enroll.
"Why? Because this would help our constituents. In fact, now Medicare Part D has become very, very popular.
"I met a lady last week in Denver, who is paying on the individual market, she is 58 years old, and she is paying $600 a month on the individual market for insurance because she has a pre-existing condition.
"I told her, as of October, you'll be able to enroll in the exchange in Colorado and you could probably save yourself a bundle of money.
"She had no idea that this option even existed.
"And I think it's our job, as elected representatives of our constituents, to go out there and tell people like this woman that they can have these benefits and get the insurance they need and save money.
"An important step in doing this is to make sure that we go home and talk to our constituents in this August recess about that.
"So Administrator Tavenner, I am really looking forward to hearing what the Administration is planning to do to make sure people know about this.
"Madam Chair, earlier this month, the Energy and Commerce Democratic Staff released fact sheets on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act in every district in the country.
"I would ask unanimous consent to put those fact sheets into the record of this hearing today.
"I'd like to share some of the information on the benefits in my district, Denver, Colorado.
"Already, in my district the ACA is providing 8,000 young adults with health coverage through their parents' plan. More than 6,900 seniors in my district have received drug discounts worth $9.3 million.
"Almost 200,000 of my constituents now have health insurance that covers preventive services without co-pays."Hundreds of thousands of my constituents with private insurance are saving money due to ACA provisions that limit insurers' administrative overhead costs.
"And when the law finally goes fully into effect, over 120,000 of my constituents who currently do not have health insurance will be able to get that insurance without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a preexisting condition.
"So even if you disagree with the law, it's important that you know how the ACA's benefits are already helping our constituents.
"Madam Chairman, we've had many hearings on this law, many in our Oversight and Investigations Committee, and one common concerns that we have already heard today are premiums will be too high. We now have some answers.
"An HHS analysis released earlier this month found that in the states for which data are available, the lowest cost silver plan in the individual market in 2014 will cost, on average, 18% less than the rate predicted by the Congressional Budget Office.
"On the small group market, the average premium that small employers will pay is again 18% lower than the same plan would cost absent the Affordable Care Act.
"In Colorado, similarly, the lowest cost silver plans are, on average, 18% less expensive than the status quo.
"It seems like every day we get more information about a new state where the rate review process and competition are causing insurers to lower their premiums even more than expected.
"And of course, the actual cost of these plans will be even lower for many citizens once the Affordable Care Act's tax credits go into effect.
"Administrator Tavenner, I know you must be pleased with this. But as you know, your job is not yet done.
"In two months, the data systems for the insurance exchanges will go live. I don't expect everything to go completely smoothly, it certainly didn't with Medicare Part D, but I want to hear what the Administration is doing to deal with all these foreseeable problems, and developing systems to deal with the unexpected problems.
"I think we all have legitimate questions and we are happy to have you here today.
"I look forward to hearing your answers to all of them."
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