Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2668) to delay the application of the individual health insurance mandate; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2667) to delay the application of the employer health insurance mandate, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, now we get to the real bill. If the Republicans can't repeal the Affordable Care Act, they're going to try and rot it from the inside.

For the last few days, my Republican colleagues have been spinning this vote as a great populist effort to help the middle class. They explain that, even with these repeals, we can keep all the things we like, covering our kids till age 26, prescription drug help, banning the denial of coverage for those with preexisting conditions.

And legally, they aren't wrong. They're not lying. They're just confusing the people. These laws will still be in place; but realistically, in the real world in which we live, it will be hard to cover your kids and subsidize drugs if the insurance industry no longer exists in this country.

Without the healthy consumers the mandate guarantees, only the sickest and the costliest will be left, and prices will skyrocket.

We have a letter from the Congressional Budget Office that says that if we delay this, you can expect that the prices of insurance will go up and fewer people will be covered.

The reason you don't see any fur flying is because the insurance industry knows this isn't going anywhere. This is just a lot of political theater.

In Washington, we tried this. In 1993, the Democrats put in universal coverage and guaranteed issue. Everybody had a mandate, and you were going to get it. The insurance companies couldn't do otherwise. Two years later, the Republicans repealed the guaranteed mandate, leaving the insurance industry covering the sickest in the State of Washington. Within 3 years, there were no individual policies sold in the State of Washington.

We have run this game once in Washington State, and you are coming out here today and running it again. It's been tried in other States. You cannot have universal coverage without a mandate. You cannot have insurance reform that guarantees everybody insurance.

Now, this isn't prophecy on my part. This has happened. A lot of what you hear about around here is that people

are talking, well, gee, we got these terrible insurance rates going up.

They're not going up in Washington in our exchange. They're not going up in Oregon in the exchange. They're not going up in California in the exchange. Today, New York reports they're not going up in New York.

Anybody who stands out here and says insurance rates are out of sight simply is misleading the people.

We ought to vote ``no'' on this bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

U.S. Congress,

Congressional Budget Office,

Washington, DC, July 16, 2013.

Hon. Dave Camp,

Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: CBO and the staff of the Joint Committee

on Taxation (JCT) have begun a review of H.R. 2668, the

Fairness for American Families Act, but we have not yet

completed a cost estimate for the bill. On a preliminary

basis, however, we expect that enacting H.R. 2668 would have

the effect of reducing the deficit in 2014 and over the 2014-

2023 period. That initial conclusion is based on our prior

work on proposals to repeal the individual mandate

established in the Affordable Care Act.

The legislation would delay for one year the requirement

that nearly every resident of the United States have health

insurance coverage by January 1, 2014. The bill also would

shift by one year the schedule of penalties for people who do

not comply with the mandate.

CBO and JCT expect that, during the period of delayed

phase-in of the penalty for failing to comply with the

mandate, health insurance premiums for individually purchased

coverage would be higher under H.R. 2668 than they are

projected to be under current law. In addition, the number of

people with health insurance coverage would be reduced

relative to current law.

I hope you find this preliminary information useful; if you

wish further details, we will be pleased to provide them.

Sincerely,

Douglas W. Elmendorf.

Enclosure.

Mr. Speaker, I will insert for the Record the report on the Ninth Indiana District and the people who will benefit from that bill when it goes into effect on the first of October.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 9th Congressional

District of Indiana

Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and

the Workforce, Democratic Staff Report, July 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent, one-stop shop to

compare health insurance policies, receive financial

assistance, and sign up for high-quality, affordable, and

secure insurance coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Young's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following

the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

8,300 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 9,300 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $13.7 million, an average

discount of $680 per person in 2011, $720 in 2012, and $700

thus far in 2013.

110,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

213,000 individuals in the district--including 45,000

children and 86,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

135,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 33,800 consumers

in the district received approximately $4.4 million in

insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate

of $157 per family in 2012 and $99 per family in 2011.

Up to 40,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

255,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

Up to 91,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition. In addition, the 35,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be

eligible for financial assistance.

I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record the report on the Third Congressional District of Minnesota and the people who will benefit from this act.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 3rd Congressional

District of Minnesota

Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and

the Workforce, Democratic Staff Report, July 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent, one-stop-shop to

compare health insurance policies, receive financial

assistance, and sign up for high-quality, affordable, and

secure insurance coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Paulsen's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following

the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

3,300 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 8,800 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $12.2 million, an average

discount of $620 per person in 2011, $680 in 2012, and $1,070

thus far in 2013.

108,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

220,000 individuals in the district--including 54,000

children and 87,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

150,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 16,600 consumers

in the district received approximately $1.4 million in

insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate

of $303 per family in 2012 and $160 per family in 2011.

Up to 40,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

282,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

53,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition. In addition, the 42,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be

eligible for financial assistance.

I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell). He's been here for a number of years, always fighting for health care, and he is living proof that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance. He's here today fighting for health care, just like he did the first day he got here.

(Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, according to a report on the First Congressional District of Tennessee, 5,800 young adults have insurance on their parents' plan, 13,000 seniors receive prescription drug benefit reductions, and 168,000 seniors are now eligible for preventive care that's free. And on and on it goes.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 1st Congressional

District of Tennessee

committees on energy and commerce, ways and means, and education and

the workforce, democratic staff report, july 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and

protections to tens of millions of American families almost

immediately after it was signed into law by President Obama.

But the largest benefits of the law will become available to

consumers on October 1, 2013, when health insurance

marketplaces open in all 50 states. These marketplaces will

offer individuals, families, and small businesses an

efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare health

insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and sign up

for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Roe's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following

the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

5,800 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 13,100 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $16.9 million, an average

discount of $580 per person in 2011, $630 in 2012, and $680

thus far in 2013.

168,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

177,000 individuals in the district--including 34,000

children and 75,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

168,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 26,000 consumers

in the district received approximately $3.7 million in

insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate

of $69 per family in 2012 and $201 per family in 2011.

Up to 36,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

190,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

Up to 103,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition. In addition, the 28,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be

eligible for financial assistance.

I yield 1 minute to the leader of the Democratic Party, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert letters from consumer groups opposing the bill--Easter Seals, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, and others.

I also would like to enter into the Record the report on the Fifth Congressional District of Virginia and those who will benefit from the Affordable Care Act.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 5th Congressional

District of Virginia

committees on energy and commerce, ways and means, and education and

the workforce, democratic staff Report, july 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare

health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and

sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance

coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Hurt's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following

the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

5,900 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 11,400 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $15.6 million, an average

discount of $590 per person in 2011, $720 in 2012, and $800

thus far in 2013.

165,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

201,000 individuals in the district--including 37,000

children and 87,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

188,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 57,300 consumers

in the district received approximately $4.6 million in

insurance company rebates in 2011 and 2012--an average rebate

of $115 per family in 2011 and $88 per family in 2012.

Up to 37,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

235,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

Up to 91,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition. In addition, the 51,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be

eligible for financial assistance.

I now yield 5 minutes to the minority whip, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds to report on the Seventh Congressional District of Virginia, where the promises have been kept:

4,500 young adults have health insurance on their parents' plan;

10,000 seniors have received help with their drug costs;

112,000 seniors are now eligible for preventive care at no cost;

288,000 people in the Seventh District now have insurance that does not have lifetime limits.

The promises have been kept in the Seventh District.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 7th Congressional

District of Virginia

committees on energy and commerce, ways and means, and education and

the workforce, democratic staff report, july 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare

health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and

sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance

coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Cantor's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following

the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

4,500 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 10,000 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $13.6 million, an average

discount of $580 per person in 2011, $730 in 2012, and $800

thus far in 2013.

112,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

236,000 individuals in the district--including 56,000

children and 95,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

222,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 67,300 consumers

in the district received approximately $5.4 million in

insurance company rebates in 2011 and 2012--an average rebate

of $115 per family in 2011 and $88 per family in 2012.

Up to 43,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

288,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

Up to 74,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition. In addition, the 42,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be

eligible for financial assistance.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds so that I can inform the body of the effect on the Fifth Congressional District of the State of Washington:

7,000 adults, young adults, are on their parents' plan;

5,600 seniors have had benefits around their drug costs;

89,000 who have lacked health insurance now have it.

All of this is because of the Affordable Care Act.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 5th Congressional

District of Washington

Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and

the Workforce, Democratic Staff Report, July 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare

health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and

sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance

coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. McMorris

Rodgers's district. It also provides the first picture of the

impacts of the law in districts redrawn or newly created

following the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

7,900 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 5,600 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $7.5 million, an average

discount of $620 per person in 2011, $660 in 2012, and $1,070

thus far in 2013.

113,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

180,000 individuals in the district--including 36,000

children and 75,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

167,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 700 consumers in

the district received approximately $100,000 in insurance

company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate of $512

per family in 2012 and $185 per family in 2011.

Up to 36,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

203,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

89,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition. In addition, the 45,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more

secure, higher quality coverage and many will be eligible for

financial assistance.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green).

Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter into the Record a report on the effects of the Affordable Care Act on the Tenth District of Michigan.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 10th Congressional

District of Michigan

Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and

the Workforce, Democratic Staff Report, July 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent, one-stop shop to

compare health insurance policies, receive financial

assistance, and sign up for high-quality, affordable, and

secure insurance coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Miller's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following

the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

4,900 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 8,900 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $11.8 million, an average

discount of $610 per person in 2011, $780 in 2012, and $630

thus far in 2013.

130,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

210,000 individuals in the district--including 47,000

children and 86,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

177,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 17,100 consumers

in the district received approximately $2.5 million in

insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate

of $138 per family in 2012 and $214 per family in 2011.

Up to 41,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

243,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their overage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

Up to 73,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition: In addition, the 39,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be

eligible for financial assistance.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman who helped write this bill 4 years ago and is here today to defend it, the gentleman from California (Mr. Miller).

(Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I yield myself 30 seconds.

There are 8,300 young adults who are still getting insurance on their parents' plans; more than 8,500 seniors are receiving prescription drug discounts; 86,000 seniors are now receiving preventative care without having to pay for it under the Medicare program; 195,000 now have health insurance that covers preventative care with no co-pays and insurance; and on and on and on it goes.

I enter into the Record the health care reform law as it affects the 11th Congressional District of Georgia.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 11th Congressional

District of Georgia

committees on energy and commerce, ways and means, and education and

the workforce, democratic staff report, july 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare

health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and

sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance

coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Gingrey's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following

the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

8,300 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 8,800 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $12.6 million, an average

discount of $620 per person in 2011, $760 in 2012, and $900

thus far in 2013.

86,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

195,000 individuals in the district--including 47,000

children and 78,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

169,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 19,900 consumers

in the district received approximately $2.8 million in

insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate

of $82 per family in 2012 and $134 per family in 2011.

Up to 43,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

248,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

Up to 129,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition. In addition, the 45,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be

eligible for financial assistance.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I enter into the Record the effect of the Affordable Care Act on the Sixth Congressional District of Tennessee.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 6th Congressional

District of Tennessee

committees on energy and commerce, ways and means, and education and

the workforce, democratic staff report, July 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare

health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and

sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance

coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Black's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following

the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

5,600 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 9,800 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $12.7 million, an average

discount of $590 per person in 2011, $640 in 2012, and $690

thus far in 2013.

134,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

184,000 individuals in the district--including 40,000

children and 74,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

188,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 26,900 consumers

in the district received approximately $3.9 million in

insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate

of $69 per family in 2012 and $201 per family in 2011.

Up to 40,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

217,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

Up to 101,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition. In addition, the 37,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be

eligible for financial assistance.

I now yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I inquire as to whether the gentleman from Georgia is prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I have in my hand here a letter signed by 30 economists from Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford, Rice, the University of Chicago, and everybody else, all of whom say we need a mandate. If this mandate were taken out of the law, the Affordable Care Act would be dead. What they say is that the individual mandate does not specify what care people receive; it simply requires people to pay a reasonable amount for any care that they may ultimately receive.

No less a conservative than Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee for President, noted when signing the Massachusetts equivalent of the individual mandate:

Some of my Libertarian friends balk at what looks like an

individual mandate. But remember, someone has to pay for the

health care that must, by law, be provided: either the

individual pays or the taxpayers pay.

Everyone in this body spends $1,000 a year beyond their own health care costs paying for the uninsured in this country. People walk into the emergency room and they get taken care of because the hospital cannot refuse them and the doctor cannot refuse them, and so they're taken care of and then it's passed on to you and me.

The individual mandate says everybody should pay according to their ability.

Going on, Mr. Romney said:

A free ride on the government is not libertarianism.

Everywhere they've tried this without subsidies and mandates, it has failed. They say in the five States that have tried comprehensive insurance market reform without an individual mandate, healthy people choose to stay out of insurance, sick people took it up, and the premiums go up. That's exactly what the CBO says.

So what you are saying, by repealing the individual mandate, is you want to drive up the costs on the people who now have insurance. That's a very strange political position to be taking.

I must say, I listened to all these people who don't like the individual mandate and all this stuff. If you spend 2 years ranting about the Affordable Care Act and you run a campaign and spend hundreds of millions of dollars and rant against the Affordable Care Act, it's not surprising that people may be a little confused.

When I was in medical school in 1963, the American Medical Association spent 3 or 4 years ranting against Medicare; and when the people went out to enroll people for Medicare, they got the door slammed in their face. Old people said, I'm not going to have that kind of government health care in my house. Well, let me tell you something. If you tried to take Medicare out now, you would find you have taken on a really ugly junkyard dog. You're not going to take out Medicare in this country now.

You can confuse people for a while, but as they see and as I reported on everybody's district, it is already affecting kids who didn't have insurance because of a preexisting condition; it's affecting kids who didn't have insurance from their job and are now on their parents' insurance; it took away lifetime limits on care; it took away all the things that people worry about when they want health care security. They now have it, and you're saying let's take the individual mandate out and have the whole house come down, because that's what these economists have said.

I enter this letter into the Record, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Why We Need the Individual Mandate

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)

requires people to buy health insurance when they can afford

to do so. This ``individual mandate'' is essential to address

two features of current health insurance markets: the fact

that millions of people cannot afford health insurance

coverage, and the fact that insurance companies frequently

charge high or unaffordable premiums to people who need

insurance most--those suffering from costly illness or

injury.

This mandate is one of three pillars that together support

ACA's private market approach. The first pillar is insurance

market reform--ending the ability of insurance companies to

discriminate against sick or injured people with high medical

costs. Subsidies to help Americans of modest means gain

access to affordable health coverage provide the second

pillar. The individual mandate provides the third pillar. It

requires people to obtain insurance so long as that coverage

is affordable. The mandate expresses a basic obligation of

citizenship as well as an economic reality. Without the

mandate, some people will choose to gamble or to free-ride,

undermining the fairness and financial stability of the

health insurance system.

Few of the uninsured could personally finance medical

treatment for a serious illness or injury. Moreover, this

country embraces the fundamental principal that everyone

should have to minimally decent medical treatment when

needed, without regard to ability to pay. Federal legislation

and the custom and practice of health care providers embody

this principle. A healthy individual's decision to forego

affordable insurance coverage thus imposes real costs on

others, while raising premiums on many people with serious

medical needs who require the most help.

The individual mandate does not specify what care people

receive. It simply requires people to pay a reasonable amount

for any care they may ultimately receive. No less a

conservative than Mitt Romney noted, when signing

Massachusetts' equivalent of the individual mandate: ``Some

of my libertarian friends balk at what looks like an

individual mandate. But remember, someone has to pay for the

health care that must, by law, be provided: Either the

individual pays or the taxpayers pay. A free ride on the

government is not libertarian.''

The ACA's individual mandate is based on Massachusetts's

successful 2006 reforms. That landmark effort covered about

two-thirds of the formerly uninsured, while reducing premiums

for individual purchasers by about 50% relative to national

trends--with strong public support.

In contrast, insurance reform without subsidies and

mandates has consistently failed. In the five states that

have tried comprehensive insurance market reform without an

individual mandate, healthy people chose to stay out of

insurance, sick people took it up, and premiums increased.

Only broad participation in insurance markets can end the

cycle of insecure coverage and high costs.

The Obama Administration's recent decision to delay ACA's

requirement that large- and medium-sized employers sponsor

coverage for their employees or pay a penalty is independent

of the individual mandate. The employer assessment is

designed to bolster the ACA's financing and to ensure equity

between large firms who do and do not provide insurance. This

assessment will have only a very small impact on employers,

since 97% of firms with more than 50 employees already offer

insurance. The individual mandate stands in stark contrast,

as nearly one in five non-elderly Americans is currently

uninsured.

Delaying the employer assessment has almost no effect on

the implementation of the ACA. The only important effect will

be to raise one fewer year of revenue from this

component of the law. In contrast, delaying the individual

mandate would cut at the core of the vision of private-market

based insurance market reform.

Requests to delay the individual mandate are really

requests to gut the Affordable Care Act. Millions of

Americans face immediate health care needs and financial

challenges addressed by health reform. They cannot wait.

Signers

Henry Aaron, Senior Fellow and Bruce and Virginia

MacLaury Chair in Economic Studies, Brookings

Institution; Kenneth J. Arrow, Professor Emeritus,

Stanford University; Susan Athey, Professor of

Economics, Stanford Graduate School of Business; Linda

J. Blumberg, Senior Fellow, Health Policy Center, The

Urban Institute; Len Burman, Director, Tax Policy

Center, Urban Institute; Amitabh Chandra, Professor of

Public Policy, Harvard University; Philip J. Cook, ITT/

Terry Sanford Professor of Public Policy, Duke

University; David Cutler, Otto Eckstein Professor of

Applied Economics, Harvard University; Claudia Goldin,

Henry Lee Professor of Economics, Harvard University;

Jonathan Gruber, Professor of Economics, Massachusetts

Institute of Technology; Vivian Ho, Baker Institute

Chair in Health Economics, Rice University; John

Holahan, Institute Fellow, Urban Institute; Jill

Horwitz, Professor of Law, University of California at

Los Angeles; Genevieve M. Kenney Co-Director and Senior

Fellow Health Policy Center, Urban Institute, Frank

Levy, Lecturer, Department of Health Care Policy,

Harvard Medical School; Peter H. Lindert, Distinguished

Research Professor of Economics, University of

California at Davis; Eric S. Maskin, Adams University

Professor, Harvard University; Alan C. Monheit, Ph.D.,

Professor of Health Economics, Rutgers University

School of Public Health; Richard Murname, Juliana W.

and William Foss Thompson Professor of Education and

Society, Harvard Graduate School of Education; Joseph

Newhouse, John D. MacArthur Professor of Health Policy

and Management, Harvard Medical School; Harold Pollack,

Helen Ross Professor of Social Service Administration,

University of Chicago; Matthew Rabin, Edward G. and

Nancy S. Jordan Professor of Economics, University of

California at Berkeley; James B. Rebitzer, Professor of

Management, Economics, and Public Policy and Everett V.

Lord Distinguished Faculty Scholar, Boston University

School of Management; Meredith Rosenthal, Professor of

Health Economics and Policy, Harvard School of Public

Health; Christopher Ruhm, Professor of Public Policy

and Economics, University of Virginia; Jonathan

Skinner, James O. Freedman Presidential Professor of

Economics, Professor of Community and Family Medicine,

Dartmouth College; Katherine Swartz, Professor, Harvard

School of Public Health; Paul N. Van de Water, Senior

Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; Kenneth

E. Warner, Avedis Donabedian Distinguished University

Professor of Public Health, Dept. of Health Management

& Policy, University of Michigan School of Public

Health; Stephen Zuckerman, Co-Director and Senior

Fellow, Heath Policy Center, The Urban Instituted;

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Well, here we go again. Another repeal vote, another political sideshow, and another blow to bipartisanship, which is so vital to addressing a whole host of important issues, including an issue important to our committee--tax reform. Instead of moving forward, once again my Republican colleagues are looking backwards.

The fact is that the President has taken an action that my Republican colleagues support. The administration determined that a delay of employer responsibility requirements was necessary in order to ensure effective implementation of the Tax Code, so it exercised its authority--longstanding administrative relief used by administrations of both parties for many years to grant transition relief.

The Republican response? The Republicans cannot leave well enough alone. They insist on maneuvering for political purposes. Duplicative legislation for purely political reasons that will go nowhere in the Senate and that serves only to set up their 38th vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

After the announcement, my colleague, Chairman Camp, in a new populist flourish, said:

The Obama administration's decision to give corporate

America a free pass while continuing to force average,

everyday Americans to abide by the law is deeply disturbing.

And the majority leader, Mr. Cantor, with hyperpopulism, said:

The President came down on the side of big business, but

left the American people out in the cold.

Out in the cold? Republican hypocrisy is reaching new heights. Under the Affordable Care Act, tens of millions of Americans will gain previously unavailable access to affordable health insurance. To date-- and I emphasize this--more than 6 million young adults have health insurance through their parents' plans, 6 million seniors have

saved $6.1 billion on prescription drugs, and 105 million Americans have received free preventative services.

And in State to State, Americans buying insurance within the new marketplaces will have access to coverage for less than they pay today. New Yorkers, for one, learned today that, on average, individual premiums within the marketplace will be half what they are today. They certainly do not feel left out in the cold.

Competition under ACA is working, and the Republicans call it ``socialism.''

The market reforms from the health law work together to eliminate the ability of insurance companies to discriminate on the basis of preexisting conditions and gender. But the system will only work and remain affordable if everyone has insurance. And the law provides the reforms and assistance to put affordable coverage within reach for everyone.

Without the shared responsibility, the law will not work and insurance premiums will skyrocket. 129 million people with preexisting conditions will once again be priced or forced out of coverage, and we will be back where we started.

Republicans know this. Why? Because the individual mandate was a Republican idea going all the way back to the 1980s, when the conservative Heritage Foundation originated the idea. Its supporters have argued:

All citizens should be required to obtain a basic level of

health insurance. Not having health insurance imposes a risk

of delaying medical care. It also may impose costs on others

because we, as a society, provide care to the uninsured. The

risk of shifting cost to others has led many States to

mandate that all drivers have liability insurance. The same

logic applies to health insurance.

But Republicans are not here today to act logically or take responsibility. They have never, never, never had a comprehensive health care reform plan. Instead, their only goal is to score political points.

So we urge, vote ``no'' on both bills.

I reserve the balance of my time, and I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott) control the balance of the time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.

I just want to put in the facts on the Sixth District where my friend Mr. Upton comes from, the Sixth District of Michigan:

6,700 young adults in the district now have health insurance through their parents' plan;

9,100 seniors have received prescription drug discounts;

131,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for preventive services without paying;

197,000 individuals now have health insurance that covers preventive services;

Up to 41,000 children in the district with preexisting health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health insurers.

I now yield 2 minutes to a member of our committee, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.

I just want to review the benefits of the gentleman's district that he represents:

5,400 young adults now have health insurance through their parents' plans;

more than 6,900 seniors receive prescription drug discounts;

100,000 seniors are now eligible for Medicare preventative services without paying any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductibles;

209,000 individuals now have health insurance that covers preventative services without pay;

Up to 42,000 children in the district with preexisting health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health insurers.

That's what the ACA is doing.

It is now my privilege to yield 2 minutes to another distinguished member of our committee, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.

The application, Mr. Roskam, is three pages. Let me also mention what's in play in your district and why ACA matters:

5,200 young adults have insurance through their parents;

7,800 seniors have discounts for prescription drugs;

87,000 seniors are now eligible for preventative services without paying;

243,000 individuals now have health insurance covering preventative services without these co-pays;

234,000 individuals are saving money.

I yield myself an additional 15 seconds.

Due to ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending more than 20 percent of their premiums, now 35,000 individuals have insurance that cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage.

So when you pick up a book with hundreds of pages, tell your constituents what it means for them.

I am now privileged to yield 2 minutes to a gentleman from Energy and Commerce who has played such a decisive role in the reform of health care, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

I yield myself 45 seconds.

I would just like to ask the gentleman from Arkansas if the small business person he mentioned has any health coverage for his employees. What we need to do is to continue this law and its implementation so that those employees will have some health insurance.

In his district, because of ACA, 9,500 young adults have insurance through their parents;

3,400 seniors have received prescription drug discounts;

125,000 seniors are now eligible for preventative services without paying co-pays, et cetera.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 2nd Congressional

District of Arkansas

Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and

the Workforce, Democratic Staff Report, July 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare

health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and

sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance

coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Griffin's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly create following the

2010 Census. As a result of the law:

9,500 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 3,400 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $7.6 million, an average

discount of $600 per person in 2011, $730 in 2012, and $990

thus far in 2013.

125,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

195,000 individuals in the district--including 41,000

children and 81,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

158,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 34,200 consumers

in the district received approximately $3.2 million in

insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate

of $49 per family in 2012 and $114 per family in 2011.

Up to 42,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

223,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

113,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition. In addition, the 40,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be

eligible for financial assistance.

It is now my privilege to yield 2 minutes to the ranking member on Small Business, who has worked so hard on health care reform and with sensitivity to the small businesses of this country, the gentlelady from New York (Ms. Velazquez).

Mr. Speaker, could you tell us the time on each side, please.

At this time, I insert into the Record the benefits of health care reform in the 18th District of Pennsylvania.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 18th Congressional

District of Pennsylvania

Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and

the Workforce, Democratic Staff Report, July 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare

health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and

sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance

coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Murphy's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following

the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

3,800 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 15,300 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $23.1 million, an average

discount of $620 per person in 2011, $800 in 2012, and $730

thus far in 2013.

133,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

230,000 individuals in the district--including 45,000

children and 97,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

181,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 35,800 consumers

in the district received approximately $3.6 million in

insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate

of $77 per family in 2012 and $165 per family in 2011.

Up to 35,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

266,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

Up to 49,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition. In addition, the 40,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be

eligible for financial assistance.

I now yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks).

I now yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barrow).

At this time, I insert into the Record a document showing the benefits of health care reform in the 12th Congressional District of Florida.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 12th Congressional

District of Florida

Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and

the Workforce Democratic Staff Report, July 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare

health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and

sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance

coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Bilirakis's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following

the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

6,100 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 10,200 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $12.9 million, an average

discount of $550 per person in 2011, $660 in 2012, and $720

thus far in 2013.

153,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

190,000 individuals in the district--including 41,000

children and 79,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

164,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 53,500 consumers

in the district received approximately $7.6 million in

insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate

of $132 per family in 2012 and $168 per family in 2011.

Up to 36,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

216,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

Up to 97,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition. In addition, the 45,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be

eligible for financial assistance.

It's now my pleasure to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), a leader on the health care issue.

I will reserve the balance of my time.

At this time, I insert into the Record a document showing benefits of the health care reform law in the 16th Congressional District of Ohio.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 16th Congressional

District of Ohio

Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and

the Workforce, Democratic Staff Report, July 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare

health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and

sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance

coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Renacci's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following

the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

4,800 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 10,100 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $13.7 million, an average

discount of $510 per person in 2011, $770 in 2012, and $990

thus far in 2013.

104,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

228,000 individuals in the district--including 51,000

children and 92,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

200,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 10,200 consumers

in the district received approximately $800,000 in insurance

company rebates in 2011 and 2012--an average rebate of $133

per family in 2012 and $139 per family in 2011.

Up to 40,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

272,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

Up to 68,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition.

In addition, the 37,000 individuals who currently purchase

private health insurance on the individual or small group

market will have access to more secure, higher quality

coverage and many will be eligible for financial assistance.

Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have remaining?

Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield the balance of our time on this bill to the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the ranking member of Energy and Commerce and who is proudly one of the coauthors of health care reform after so many years of his efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I submit this report, which shows that hundreds of thousands of constituents in the 7th district of Tennessee benefit from various provisions in the Affordable Care Act.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 7th Congressional

District of Tennessee

Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and

the Workforce, Democratic Staff Report, July 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare

health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and

sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance

coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Blackburn's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following

the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

5,900 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 8,000 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $10 million, an average

discount of $580 per person in 2011, $610 in 2012, and $960

thus far in 2013.

116,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

191,000 individuals in the district--including 50,000

children and 75,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

181,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 27,900 consumers

in the district received approximately $4 million in

insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate

of $69 per family in 2012 and $201 per family in 2011.

Up to 44,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

208,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

Up to 91,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition. In addition, the 39,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be

eligible for financial assistance.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I feel as though I could give the same speech today that I have delivered repeatedly in the Rules Committee and on the House floor for the past 3 years. Despite failing 37 times before, the majority is trying the 38th and 39th time today to repeal, defund, or otherwise undermine the Affordable Care Act.

However, unlike past votes, today's attempt to undermine the law occurs on the very same day that my home State of New York delivered incredible news to New York families. Today we learned that, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, health insurance premiums for many of my fellow New Yorkers will be reduced by 50 percent or more. In my district alone, 56,330 persons will be eligible to access those savings through New York's new health insurance exchange.

New York is just the latest in a growing number of States finding the same thing--including Oregon, California, and Washington--where the cost of health care premiums are being reduced because of the Affordable Care Act.

As The New York Times reported this morning, some low-income individuals in New York could see their premiums go from $1,000 a month to as low as $308 a month, and subsidies provided for lower-income persons through the Affordable Care Act will drive those premiums even lower. Believe me when I tell you that New York does not want to be relieved of the burden of the Affordable Care Act. For many of them, it will be the first time in their lives they've been able to afford it.

This is incredibly good news for millions of people in New York and a realization of the law's promise to provide more affordable health care.

Among other accomplishments, the Affordable Care Act is increasing competition in New York because 17 insurers have been approved to participate in the individual insurance marketplace. That competition, again, Mr. Speaker, as all of us know, is what helps to bring down the cost. And that is working. Meanwhile, on top of that, as we know the Affordable Care Act requires all insurance companies to spend 80 cents of your premium dollar on your health care, we know that will even add to the tumbling costs.

And perhaps most importantly, the individual mandate included in the Affordable Care Act will soon take effect, driving down costs even more. Given

this fact alone, it is the height of irresponsibility and nihilistic obstruction for the majority to attempt to delay its implementation one more time. Delaying the individual mandate would undermine the very foundation of the Affordable Care Act and cause health care premiums to skyrocket. In fact, the Urban Institute has estimated that without the individual mandate, an extra 13.8 million people would go without insurance because of the cost.

Everyone from doctors to health insurance companies knows this fact. And, indeed, they are working together in New York to implement this act. That's why organizations such as the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Heart Association, and the American Diabetes Association are opposing the majority's proposal today.

In a letter to Congress, the American Academy of Family Physicians recently wrote that the individual mandate ``is the foundation of improving access to care and vital to ensuring that everyone has health insurance coverage. For that reason, the American Academy of Family Physicians supports the health coverage requirement for individuals'' and urges that we get on with the program.

Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is the majority's proposal is nothing more than an attempt to score cheap political points. As has been the case for the last 3 years, the Senate will not take up this bill, and everybody here knows that. And even if they did by some strange quirk of fate pass it, the President would veto it. He's said so already. So we're spending another week of legislative business doing another meaningless piece of legislation that we know will not go anywhere.

We should be rejoicing, Mr. Speaker, about the things that are coming in from States that have already set up their exchanges about the money that is being saved and the many, many more people being insured. I've said many times before the estimated cost of running the House of Representatives is $24 million a week. Of all people, the Members of the majority who claim to care so dearly for stopping wasteful spending should be objecting to a legislative agenda that holds a variation of the same go-nowhere bill for 39 times.

Bridges are collapsing. Our economic growth is anemic. Millions of Americans are unemployed, and if the farm bill passed here last week were to become law, they would not only be unemployed, they would not be allowed to get food stamps to help them feed their families.

Meanwhile, sequestration is closing Head Start programs, furloughing working moms and dads, and cutting programs that serve vulnerable populations such as our Indian populations living on reservations who are hit extremely hard by sequestration.

Yet instead of addressing any of these issues, the majority continues to play this game. Such a self-serving political pursuit is a shameful mark on the history of this Chamber and our democracy.

Etched above the Speaker's rostrum is a quote from Daniel Webster that speaks to the need to end the political games and to focus on issues that are important to the American people. In part, those words read:

Let us see whether we also in our day and generation may

not perform something worthy to be remembered.

In 2010, I was proud to play a central role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act. I faced a lot of vitriol because of it. In the darkest moments, my district office was vandalized and the lives of my grandchildren were threatened. Yet I remained dedicated to passing the law because at the time health care costs were approaching 20 percent of our Nation's GDP, and an unconscionable number of Americans were being denied basic health care because of the cost of preexisting conditions. And in eight States in this United States and the District of Columbia, violence against women, domestic violence, was considered a preexisting condition. No more.

Before voting on the legislation, the Democratic Caucus read the bill three times line by line. By the time it was signed into law, it was clear this legislation would deliver on the promise of secure and affordable care for millions who had been denied health care for far too long.

Looking back at that moment in time, it is my belief that the law we produced will go down in history, as Webster says, as ``something worthy to be remembered.''

Already, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, seniors have begun receiving free preventive screenings and subsidies to cover the cost of prescription medicines when they fall in the doughnut hole. In a few years, the doughnut hole will be completely closed.

In addition, children under the age of 26 are now protected under their parent's insurance coverage while they find their first job and start a life of their own. Finally, prior to passage of the Affordable Care Act, in eight States, disgracefully, domestic violence was considered a preexisting condition. Those policies are now outlawed. And soon, no health insurance plan in the country will be allowed to deny an individual coverage because of a preexisting condition, and women will no longer have to pay a higher price for their insurance than men simply because of their gender.

All of this incredible progress is because of the Affordable Care Act. So while repealing the mandate may serve the narrow political interests of the majority, it is a dangerous proposition for the health and wellbeing of American families. Americans deserve a Congress focused on solutions, not a 39th attempt to rehash debates of the past.

Mr. Speaker, as we debate yet another go-nowhere attempt to undermine the Affordable Care Act, I urge the majority to read the words above the Speaker's rostrum and put an end to their tired political games. It is past time for us to get to work on meaningful legislation to help the American people.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule and the underlying legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, before I yield time, I'd like to insert in the Record the article from The New York Times this morning entitled ``Health Plan Cost For New Yorkers Set to Fall 50 Percent.''

[The New York Times, Jul. 16, 2013]

Health Plan Cost for New Yorkers Set To Fall 50%

(By Roni Caryn Rabin and Reed Abelson)

Individuals buying health insurance on their own will see

their premiums tumble next year in New York State as changes

under the federal health care law take effect, Gov. Andrew M.

Cuomo announced on Wednesday.

State insurance regulators say they have approved rates for

2014 that are at least 50 percent lower on average than those

currently available in New York. Beginning in October,

individuals in New York City who now pay $1,000 a month or

more for coverage will be able to shop for health insurance

for as little as $308 monthly. With federal subsidies, the

cost will be even lower.

Supporters of the new health care law, the Affordable Care

Act, credited the drop in rates to the online purchasing

exchanges the law created, which they say are spurring

competition among insurers that are anticipating an influx of

new customers. The law requires that an exchange be started

in every state.

``Health insurance has suddenly become affordable in New

York,'' said Elisabeth Benjamin, vice president for health

initiatives with the Community Service Society of New York.

``It's not bargain-basement prices, but we're going from

Bergdorf's to Filene's here.''

``The extraordinary decline in New York's insurance rates

for individual consumers demonstrates the profound promise of

the Affordable Care Act,'' she added.

Administration officials, long confronted by Republicans

and other critics of President Obama's signature law, were

quick to add New York to the list of states that appear to be

successfully carrying out the law and setting up exchanges.

``We're seeing in New York what we've seen in other states

like California and Oregon--that competition and transparency

in the marketplaces are leading to affordable and new choices

for families,'' said Joanne Peters, a spokeswoman for the

Department of Health and Human Services.

The new premium rates do not affect a majority of New

Yorkers, who receive insurance through their employers, only

those who must purchase it on their own. Because the cost of

individual coverage has soared, only 17,000 New Yorkers

currently buy insurance on their own. About 2.6 million are

uninsured in New York State.

State officials estimate as many as 615,000 individuals

will buy health insurance on their own in the first few years

the health law is in effect. In addition to lower premiums,

about three-quarters of those people will be eligible for the

subsidies available to lower-income individuals.

``New York's health benefits exchange will offer the type

of real competition that helps drive down health insurance

costs for consumers and businesses,'' said Mr. Cuomo.

The plans to be offered on the exchanges all meet certain

basic requirements, as laid out in the law, but are in four

categories from most generous to least: platinum, gold,

silver and bronze. An individual with annual income of

$17,000 will pay about $55 a month for a silver plan, state

regulators said. A person with a $20,000 income will pay

about $85 a month for a silver plan, while someone earning

$25,000 will pay about $145 a month for a silver plan.

The least expensive plans, some offered by newcomers to the

market, may not offer wide access to hospitals and doctors,

experts said.

While the rates will fall over all, apples-to-apples

comparisons are impossible from this year to next because all

of the plans are essentially new insurance products.

The rates for small businesses, which are considerably

lower than for individuals, will not fall as precipitously.

But small businesses will be eligible for tax credits, and

the exchanges will make it easier for them to select a plan.

Roughly 15,000 plans are available today to small businesses,

and choosing among them is particularly challenging.

``Where New York previously had a dizzying array of

thousands upon thousands of plans, small businesses will now

be able to truly comparison-shop for the best prices,'' said

Benjamin M. Lawsky, the state's top financial regulator.

Officials at the state Department of Financial Services say

they have approved 17 insurers to sell individual coverage

through the New York exchange, including eight that are just

entering the state's commercial market. Many of these are

insurers specializing in Medicaid plans that cater to low-

income individuals.

North Shore-LIJ Health System, the large hospital system on

Long Island, intends to offer a health plan for individuals

as well as businesses for the first time. Some of the state's

best-known insurers, UnitedHealth Group and WellPoint, are

also expected to participate. Insurers may decline to

participate after they receive approval for their rates, but

this is unlikely.

For years, New York has represented much that can go wrong

with insurance markets. The state required insurers to cover

everyone regardless of pre-existing conditions, but did not

require everyone to purchase insurance--a feature of the new

health care law--and did not offer generous subsidies so

people could afford coverage.

With no ability to persuade the young and the healthy to

buy policies, the state's premiums have long been among the

highest in the nation. ``If there was any state that the

A.C.A. could bring rates down, it was New York,'' said

Timothy Jost, a law professor at Washington and Lee

University who closely follows the federal law.

Mr. Jost and other policy experts say the new health

exchanges appear to be creating sufficient competition,

particularly in states that have embraced the exchanges and

are trying to create a marketplace that allows consumers to

shop easily.

``That's a very different dynamic for these companies, and

it's prodding them to be more aggressive and competitive in

their pricing,'' said Sabrina Corlette, a professor at

Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reform.

But some consumers may still find the prices and plans

disappointing. Jerry Ball, 46, who owns a recycling business

in Queens, said the cost of covering his family increased so

rapidly in the last few years that he had to scale back their

coverage. Still, he pays nearly $18,000 a year for a high-

deductible policy for a family of three.

He said he would be reluctant to part ways with his

insurer, Oxford, and was disappointed that even the least

expensive Oxford plan being offered next year would cost

about as much as he pays now.

With another plan, he said: ``Will I be able to maintain my

doctors? I'm concerned that some of the better doctors aren't

going to take health insurance.''

He acknowledged that the new law would allow him for the

first time to easily switch plans, but it is still hard for

him to believe it guarantees coverage for pre-existing

conditions. ``I have to be careful. I can't be denied

coverage, right?'' he asked.

I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

I yield the gentleman another minute.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

By happenstance, I have some figures here that will explain to my colleague and friend, Mr. Sessions, the chair of the Rules Committee, what will really happen in his district if he should have his way and this were to go away, and who is really going to be hurt and who really is going to be in jeopardy:

9,200 young adults right now are on their parents' health insurance in his district; more than 6,600 seniors receive prescription drug discounts worth $10.1 million, or an average discount of $700 a person; 66,000 seniors are now eligible for Medicare preventive services without paying copays, coinsurance, or a deductible; 182,000 individuals in his district, including 39,000 children and 74,000 women, now have health insurance that covers preventive services without copays, coinsurance or a deductible; 182,000 individuals are saving money due to the ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending more than 20 percent of their premiums on profits and administrative overhead.

Over 46,000 customers in his district received approximately $6.5 million in insurance company rebates. That's pretty impressive--$6.5 million. I wonder how many in my district. They will receive an average rebate of at least $95 a family.

Up to 42,000 children in his district with preexisting health conditions can no longer be denied coverage, and 237,000 individuals-- that's a lot of constituents--in his district now have insurance that cannot place a lifetime limit on their coverage and will not face an annual limit for what will be covered. Up to 152,000 individuals in his district who lack health insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage without fear of discrimination or

higher rates because of a preexisting condition. In addition, the 43,000 individuals who currently purchase private health insurance on the individual or small group market will have access to a more secure, higher quality coverage. And many will be eligible for financial assistance.

I think I've made the point that those are the people who are really going to be hurt, should he get his wishes today.

I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

(Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

If we defeat the previous question, we want to offer an amendment to the rule that would allow the House to consider the Invest in American Jobs Act of 2013. This bill would ensure, at last, that Federally funded transportation and infrastructure projects are constructed with steel, iron, and manufactured goods that are made in America.

To discuss this proposal, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the distinguished ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop), who got great news this morning.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown).

Mr. Speaker, before I close, Dr. Burgess is a good doctor. I want to put in the same statistics that I read for Chairman Sessions for his district. Almost a third of his constituents would be involved, and I know he's going to want to read that in the Record.

But let me get to closing. As I have repeatedly said over the last 3 years, the majority is again wasting valuable time, millions of taxpayer dollars to vote today, for the 39th time, to undermine the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, they have not taken a single vote on jobs in this Congress, so we are going to be able to give you a chance to remedy that.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment in the Record, along with extraneous material, immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' and defeat the previous question so that we can really begin to work on our infrastructure and get Americans back to work.

I urge a ``no'' vote on the rule, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Benefits of the Health Care Reform Law in the 26th Congressional

District of Texas

Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and

the Workforce, Democratic Staff Report, July 2013

The landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) began delivering

important new benefits and protections to tens of millions of

American families almost immediately after it was signed into

law by President Obama. But the largest benefits of the law

will become available to consumers on October 1, 2013, when

health insurance marketplaces open in all 50 states. These

marketplaces will offer individuals, families, and small

businesses an efficient, transparent one-stop shop to compare

health insurance policies, receive financial assistance, and

sign up for high-quality, affordable, and secure insurance

coverage.

This fact sheet summarizes new data on the significant

benefits of the health care reform law in Rep. Burgess's

district. It also provides the first picture of the impacts

of the law in districts redrawn or newly created following

the 2010 Census. As a result of the law:

9,500 young adults in the district now have health

insurance through their parents' plan.

More than 4,900 seniors in the district received

prescription drug discounts worth $7 million, an average

discount of $650 per person in 2011, $720 in 2012, and $850

thus far in 2013.

55,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for

Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays,

coinsurance, or deductible.

232,000 individuals in the district--including 66,000

children and 86,000 women--now have health insurance that

covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance,

or deductible.

230,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to

ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending

more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative

overhead. Because of these protections, over 59,300 consumers

in the district received approximately $8.3 million in

insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011--an average rebate

of $95 per family in 2012 and $187 per family in 2011.

Up to 48,000 children in the district with preexisting

health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health

insurers.

305,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that

cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not

face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.

Up to 90,000 individuals in the district who lack health

insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage

without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a

preexisting health condition. In addition, the 44,000

individuals who currently purchase private health insurance

on the individual or small group market will have access to

more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be

eligible for financial assistance.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 300, I call up the bill (H.R. 2668) to delay the application of the individual health insurance mandate, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 2668.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H.R. 2668, the Fairness for American Families Act. The administration says that they invited business to come in and explain how the cost and the complexity of ObamaCare was hurting business and hurting the economy, and they granted business relief appropriately.

Mr. Speaker, why hasn't the administration invited the American people into the halls of government?

Why hasn't the White House listened to the concerns of the American people about the cost and the complexity of ObamaCare for American families?

Have American families seen a $2,500 premium decrease as promised by the President?

No. In fact, premiums have gone up.

The American people don't understand this law any better than the employers, employers who can hire lawyers and consultants and health benefits experts. In fact, individuals who have no help understand this law even less than business; yet the administration granted relief only to business.

Mr. Speaker, it's clear: the President has now admitted it. His law, ObamaCare, is not ready. Deadlines have been missed. System testing is not complete. Income verification systems are not in place.

In the words of Senator Baucus, the train wreck is happening.

The law should be repealed, Mr. Speaker. President Obama disagrees with that, and that's unfortunate. But we all should be able to come together on the simple principle of fairness. If business gets a 1-year delay, the American people ought to get a 1-year delay. It's a simple principle.

If ObamaCare is behind schedule, the American people should not have to bear the burdens alone. They should get the same delay as business.

I urge my colleagues to come together today and to advance this very simple principle that this government will treat its citizens fairly and equally.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Young), the author of the bill, recognizing his wisdom and his diligence in working on this issue and recognizing that fairness was absolutely vital on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I would remind my friend that it's the President who has delayed the employer mandate in this arena. All we're looking for is fairness and equality for the American people.

I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Paulsen), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

I am pleased to yield 1 minute to a fellow physician colleague in the United States House, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe).

* * * The fact of the matter is that this bill, understanding that ObamaCare is a huge, destructive element in job destruction-- Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the gentleman's words be taken down.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my previous statement.

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Hurt).

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the majority leader of the United States House of Representatives, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor).

Mr. Speaker, I would now like to insert into the Record a letter of today from the National Federation of Independent Business.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter into the Record a letter dated July 15, 2013, from Matt Kibbe, the president and CEO of FreedomWorks in support of H.R. 2668.

FreedomWorks,

Washington, DC, July 15, 2013.

Key Vote YES on Delaying ObamaCare's Individual Mandate

As one of our millions of FreedomWorks members nationwide,

I urge you to contact your Representative and urge him or her

to vote YES on H.R. 2668, the Fairness for American Families

Act. Sponsored by Rep. Todd Young (R-IN), this bill--which

the House is expected to take up this week--would delay

ObamaCare's ``individual mandate.''

Beginning on January 1, 2014, ObamaCare will require most

U.S. citizens to purchase government-controlled health

insurance. This ``individual mandate'' is, by the

Administration's own admission, the ``linchpin'' of the

Washington takeover of health care. If the mandate were to go

away, the whole costly and intrusive scheme would unravel.

The individual mandate is a latter-day ``intolerable act.''

Despite the Supreme Court's erroneous 2012 ruling, Congress

lacks authority under the Constitution to impose such a

mandate on U.S. citizens. And even if it were constitutional,

the mandate is immoral because it violates individual

liberty, is not necessary to ``help the uninsured'' (there

are less coercive and less costly ways to do so), and is

terribly unfair, both in its effects and how it is being

implemented.

The unfairness of the mandate is this: its costly burden

falls most heavily on just one segment of the population:

young adults in their twenties and thirties. They are the

group most likely to be uninsured. Indeed, two-thirds of the

uninsured are in their twenties and thirties. ObamaCare

causes their insurance premiums to rise exponentially, in

some cases doubling or even tripling. These Americans are

uninsured because health insurance costs too much.

ObamaCare's mandate is unfair to them, because it forces them

to buy a product that is already too expensive, relative to

their needs.

But the law is also unfair to everyone, not just

millennials, in terms of how it is being implemented. The

Obama Administration recently made a unilateral (and illegal)

decision to cancel the ``employer mandate'' (which requires

employers with more than 50 employees to offer and heavily

subsidize health insurance to their workers). But it left the

individual mandate in place for the rest of us. The

Administration had already displayed rank unfairness by

granting more than 1,200 waivers from ObamaCare provisions to

its labor union allies and corporate cronies. It has now

given Big Business the ultimate waiver, a complete exemption

from the mandate, while making sure that Big Insurance gets

its own ``ultimate gift'' from Big Government: a compulsory

customer base. No wonder more than 70 percent of Americans

oppose the individual mandate, and just 12 percent support

it.

The only cure for the manifold ailments of ObamaCare is to

immediately defund or repeal it entirely, and to replace it

with patient-centered health care that will actually lower

costs and improve quality and access for all. Until then,

basic fairness demands that individuals be granted the same

favor as the Administration has given to businesses. The

individual mandate must be delayed for as long as possible.

H.R.2668 would delay the mandate for the same length of time

that the Administration claims to be ``delaying'' the

employer mandate: one year. That's a start.

I urge you to call your Representative and ask him or her

to vote YES on H.R. 2668, to delay ObamaCare's individual

mandate. We may count their vote as a KEY VOTE when

calculating the FreedomWorks Economic Freedom Scorecard for

2013. The Scorecard is used to determine eligibility for the

FreedomFighter Award, which recognizes members of Congress

with voting records that support economic freedom.

Sincerely,

Matt Kibbe,

President and CEO.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased now to yield 2 minutes to the chairwoman of the House Administration Committee, the gentlelady from the great State of Michigan, Candice Miller.

Mr. Speaker, how much time remains on each side?

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte).

Mr. Speaker, I insert in the Record a notice from the National Taxpayers Union, dated July 15, 2013, in support of both H.R. 2667 and H.R. 2668.

National Taxpayers Union,

Alexandria, VA, July 15, 2013.

National Taxpayers Union Vote Alert

NTU urges all Representatives to vote ``YES'' on H.R. 2667,

the ``Authority for Mandate Delay Act'' and H.R. 2668, the

``Fairness for American Families Act.'' These bills would

delay for one year the Affordable Care Act's health insurance

mandates for employers and individuals, respectively. While

the primary goal of Congress ought to be full repeal of the

Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. ``Obamacare''), in the meantime

it is imperative for legislators to recognize and address the

numerous problems associated with the law.

The Obama Administration acknowledged the detrimental

effects that the employer mandate will have on businesses,

workers, and the economy at large when it unilaterally

elected to delay this provision for one year. With the

legality of this move very much in question, the House of

Representatives is wisely moving to codify the change by

passing H.R. 2667. This would greatly assist--albeit only in

the short-term--the many businesses that are already cutting

employee hours or jobs as a result of the law.

At the same time that businesses are making difficult

staffing decisions, individuals are poised to be hit by

Obamacare's requirement to purchase health insurance. In

2014, the penalty for failing to do so is $285 per family or

1 percent of household income, whichever is greater. By 2016,

the penalty jumps to $2,085 per family or 2.5 percent of

household income, whichever is greater. As the Supreme Court

ruled last year, this penalty is a tax. For many families

continuing to struggle due to the weak economy, the burdens

from the individual mandate will become increasingly

difficult to bear. H.R. 2668 would delay the provision for a

year, which would provide much-needed, temporary relief to

these families.

Passage of H.R. 2667 and H.R. 2668 would help alleviate

some of the harmful effects that the Affordable Care Act will

impose on businesses and individuals. Enactment of these

bills would be an important step toward more significant

legislative goals, such as permanent repeal of both mandates

and the Affordable Care Act in its entirety.

Rollcall votes on H.R. 2667 and H.R. 2668 will be included

in our annual rating of Congress and ``yes'' votes will be

considered the pro-taxpayer position.

If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal

Affairs Manager Nan Swift.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schock), another member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. Speaker, how much time remains?

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, a fellow physician from the State of Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to a gentlelady who, prior to coming to Congress, worked as a nurse and who is a pivotal member of the Ways and Means Committee, the gentlelady from Tennessee, Diane Black.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Rothfus).

(Mr. ROTHFUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup), a gentleman who is engaged in the health profession.

As we have no more speakers, I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

There are a lot of folks who've come to the floor on the other side of the aisle to speak about this piece of legislation. Curiously, there aren't any individuals who came from those States that have actually passed legislation to implore Congress not to continue with the individual mandate--Alabama, Arizona, Missouri, Ohio, individuals from the other side of the aisle who didn't come down to the floor.

We get asked by folks on the other side about where's the jobs bill? Well, in addition to all the remarkable pieces of legislation on jobs that we have indeed passed and sent over to the Senate and it then gains dust over there, this is a jobs bill. I don't know if our friends on the other side haven't talked to their employers back home. Employers large and small, all of them say, Look, this is damaging job creation. We had one before the committee on Ways and Means that my friend from Washington and I sit on just last week who said he wasn't going to be able to expand his business. He couldn't, because of this bill. So this is a piece of jobs legislation.

We have a number of folks on the other side who say, Look, this is just about politics. Mr. Speaker, you talk about politics. You've got the President saying that he's going to delay the reporting requirements for the employer mandate for a year. And, by the way, that just happens to be after the 2014 election. You talk about politics.

Then you talk about delay. Some of my friends on the other side, they act as if this is something that we have indeed supported in the past. This is delay. This isn't repeal. In fact, we appreciate that the administration has awakened to the challenge of this piece of legislation.

They've recognized that it doesn't work for businesses and job creators because of the uncertainty and fewer jobs being created, so they have promoted a delay of 1 year for the employer mandate. But that uncertainty remains for those employers, and they're not going to be able to hire significant individuals.

And that uncertainty and that oppression of government-run health care isn't just for business. It's also true for individuals.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would say that I just encourage my friends to read the bill. This is the bill, H.R. 2668. It's very short and easily read. It simply changes the year requirements for the individual mandate from 1 year, 2014, to a year's delay in 2015. That's all it does. It simply equalizes the treatment for individuals as for businesses.

I know that many of them haven't read the bill. If they did, they would recognize that this bill has no change in it for preexisting illnesses or injuries and the rules thereon. It has no change for 26- year-olds being covered on their parents' health insurance. It has no change for lifetime limits. It has no change for the medical loss ratio provision. It has no change for gender equity. It has no change for out-of-pocket limits, and it has no change for anybody's insurance being taken away.

All this bill does, Mr. Speaker, is simply say that individuals ought to be treated fairly and equally, just like businesses, that we ought to delay the individual mandate for a year.

I call on my colleagues to support and vote for H.R. 2668, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, the premise of H.R. 2667, the employer mandate bill, which is part of the rule here today, is that somehow the administration overreached by announcing this postponement of the employer tax measure which was part of the Affordable Care Act.

The fact of the matter is, if the proponents had picked up the phone and called the Congressional Research Service and asked them if the IRS has postponed imposition of statutorily required requirements, the fact of the matter, they would have found out what I hold in my hand, which is a memo that was issued today that cites four examples, just within the last 2 or 3 years, where the IRS delayed statutory reporting requirements because of the fact that comments from private sector voices around the country warned that it needed more time to be implemented.

The 2006 law imposing a 3 percent withholding requirement effective December 31, 2010, was delayed till 2012. The 2009 Worker Home Ownership and Business Assistance Act was delayed for a year for a statutory electronic filing requirement.

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Withholding Act was postponed 2 years, again, because of a comment that came in from the private sector.

And the FAA law, which was passed in 2011, which had a retroactive collection of excise tax, that was waived by the IRS, again, because of the fact that, after passage of the act, they listened to the American people and to the American business community about the fact that there were some honest-to-God logistical issues that needed to be worked out.

That's exactly what was announced right before the July 4 weekend.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that this Congressional Research Service memo be admitted to the Record so that we at least have some reality basis about what exactly occurred here. This is totally within the IRS's province of authority, with well-established precedent.

The fact of the matter is that this vote is a nullity. It does nothing as a matter of law. CBO has scored it as zero. So the fact of the matter is we're just filling up more time here.

The fact is that we've got people all over this country whose paychecks are being furloughed because of inaction by this Congress.

Because of inaction of this Congress, people are losing 20

percent of their paycheck. That's what's hurting the American economy right now.

We have a bipartisan immigration bill which cleared the Senate which we know, from CBO, would actually reduce the deficit and grow the economy. That's what we should be voting on.

We had a bipartisan farm bill which passed the Senate which, again, provides a real horizon for rural America. That's what we should be voting on.

Instead, we are filling this Chamber up with more of the tired rhetoric for a bill that does absolutely nothing and which the Congressional Research Service shows us is completely, totally outside of well-established precedent of American law.

Congressional Research Service,

Washington, DC, July 16, 2013.

Memorandum

To: Honorable Joe Courtney--Attention: Maija Welton

From: Erika K. Lunder, Legislative Attorney; Carol A. Pettit,

Legislative Attorney

Subject: Recent Examples of IRS Postponement of Statutory

Effective Dates

This memorandum responds to your request for examples of

instances in which the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has

postponed statutorily imposed effective dates. This

memorandum does not discuss the July 2013 announcement by the

Obama Administration to delay implementation of the employer

reporting responsibility requirements in the Patient

Protection and Affordable Care Act. Four recent examples

where the Treasury Department, through IRS, has postponed

statutorily imposed effective dates are detailed in this

memorandum.

1. The IRS postponed the effective date for a requirement

that federal and state governments, along with their

political subdivisions and instrumentalities, withhold 3% of

payments to persons providing property or services. The 2006

law imposing the requirement stated the withholding provision

``shall apply to payments made after December 31, 2010.'' In

2008, the IRS issued proposed regulations that would

``generally be effective for payments made after the later of

December 31, 2010, or the date that is 6 months after the

publication of final regulations.'' In 2009, and prior to the

regulations being finalized, Congress extended the effective

date in the original Act, from December 31, 2010, to December

31, 2011. In May 2011, the IRS issued final regulations,

which provided that the withholding requirements would

``apply to payments made after December 31, 2012.'' The IRS

explained the reasons for the postponed effective date:

Numerous commenters indicated that an extended period of

time following the issuance of final regulations would be

necessary for government entities to adopt the systems and

processes necessary to comply with the Sec. 3402(t)

withholding and related reporting requirements. Noting the

necessity to formulate government acquisition rules that are

consistent with the final regulations, as well as the

infrastructure needed to apply those rules, some commenters

stated that government entities would need at least 18 months

from the issuance of final regulations under section 3402(t)

to be able to comply.

In response to these practical considerations, the final

regulations provide that the withholding and reporting

requirements under these regulations apply to payments made

after December 31, 2012, subject to an existing contract

exception . . . With respect to payments before January 1,

2013, government entities are not required to apply section

3402(t) withholding and the related reporting, and

accordingly will not be subject to any liability, penalties

or interest for failure to do so.

In November 2011, Congress repealed the 3% withholding

requirement, so it never went into effect.

2. The IRS provided a transitional period for the

electronic filing mandate enacted by the Worker,

Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009. As a

result, the effective date of the provision was postponed for

one year for preparers who anticipated filing more than 10

but fewer than 100 returns during calendar year 2011.

As enacted, the provision generally required that tax

return preparers who anticipated filing more than 10

individual tax returns during a calendar year must file those

returns on magnetic media. The requirement was statutorily

effective for returns filed after December 31, 2010. However,

on December 2, 2010, the IRS issued both a notice and

proposed regulation postponing the electronic filing mandate

for those otherwise affected preparers who anticipated filing

fewer than 100 individual tax returns. Those preparers

generally would only be required to electronically file

returns that they filed after December 31, 2011. The reason

given for the transition period was ``to promote the

effective and efficient administration of the electronic

filing requirement in section 6011(e)(3).'' The final

regulation basically adopted the proposed regulation and was

effective March 30, 2011.

3. The IRS has extended various deadlines under the Foreign

Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). FATCA imposes reporting,

withholding, and other requirements on certain foreign

financial institutions (FFIs) and payments. The 2010 law

enacting FATCA provides that, in general, ``the amendments

made by this section shall apply to payments made after

December 31. 2012.'' In July 2011, the IRS released a notice

that provided a timeline for implementing some of the Act's

requirements. For example, the notice provided that certain

reporting requirements would start in 2014, and that the

withholding requirements would begin on January 1, 2014, and

be fully phased in on January 1, 2015. The notice explained

the reasons for the phased-in implementation:

Treasury and the IRS have received numerous comments

concerning the practical difficulties in implementing aspects

of the Chapter 4 rules within the time frames provided in the

Act and under Notice 2010-60 and Notice 2011-34. The

challenges identified relate to the time to develop

compliance, reporting, and withholding systems necessary to

comply with Chapter 4 and the implementing notices. In

addition, a number of stakeholders have noted that complying

with certain provisions may require coordination with a

number of foreign governments. Treasury and the IRS have met

with stakeholders and foreign governments to understand the

specific administrative and legal challenges that must be

addressed and the time necessary to do so. While the Act

provides that the provisions of Chapter 4 are effective

beginning in 2013, Treasury and the IRS have determined that

because Chapter 4 creates the need for significant

modifications to the information management systems of FFIs,

withholding agents, and the IRS, it is reasonable for

regulations to provide for a phased implementation of the

various provisions of Chapter 4.

The IRS subsequently issued proposed regulations in

February 2012, and in October 2012 released an announcement

that extended an additional deadline, citing to practical

concerns with the proposed regulations' time frames. The

announcement explained that:

The Treasury Department and the IRS have received comments

identifying certain practical issues in implementing the

chapter 4 rules within the time frames prescribed in the

proposed regulations. In particular, comments have noted that

the chapter 4 status of entity account holders may change

during 2013 as FFIs enter into FFI agreements with the IRS,

with the result that withholding agents that put in place new

account opening procedures by January 1, 2013, could be

required to undertake duplicative efforts to verify an FFI's

status as a participating, deemed-compliant, or

nonparticipating FFI. Furthermore, comments have indicated

that global financial institutions intend to implement

uniform due diligence procedures for all affiliates.

Accordingly, these comments have suggested aligning the

timelines for due diligence for U.S. withholding agents, FFIs

in countries with Intergovernmental Agreements, and FF Is in

countries without Intergovernmental Agreements in order to

significantly reduce administrative burden.

On July 13, 2013, the IRS issued another notice, which

extended the effective date for withholding on some payments

to July 1, 2014.

4. The IRS extended the effective date of legislation that

had provided for retroactive application of several aviation-

related taxes. On July 23, 2011, the federal excise taxes on

amounts paid for air transportation of people and property

expired, and the tax rates on aviation fuel and gasoline were

reduced. The Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011,

enacted into law on August 5, 2011, extended the two taxes

and the prior rates, retroactive back to July 23, 2011. On

August 5, 2011, the IRS announced that it would not require

the payment or collection of the two air transportation taxes

until August 8, 2011, due to the administrative burden that

would arise from requiring payment and collection on past

purchases, and would provide penalty relief for taxpayers

paying the fuel taxes until that same day.