Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this hearing. I also would like to thank our witnesses for being here today.
Let me begin by saying what I have said at countless other hearings-the Affordable Care Act works. It was the right thing to do; it was the just thing to do, and it was long overdue.
I believe in my core that health care is a basic human right. It is not something that should be reserved for a select few, for the rich, or for the wealthy.
The health reform law provides real benefits to American families. Over 16 million people who were previously uninsured now have health insurance.
Under the law, more than 100 million people with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage. Millions of young people can stay on the insurance of their parents until age 26. In addition, over nine million hard-working Americans across the United States received tax credits to make health insurance affordable, just as Congress intended.
Mr. Chairman, today's hearing should not be a platform for continued attacks on the health reform law. Instead, we should come together and focus on how to further improve health care for all Americans.
Each and every one of us has a responsibility to make this country better for the least among us and for generations yet unborn. We have a duty to speak up and speak out on the behalf of those who have no one to stand up for them.
The Administration acted-as Republican and Democratic administrations have before them-to implement a law in a manner that considers and reflects the importance of the mission. It is time for each and every one of us to face the truth: the Affordable Care Act is the law of land, and we must do all we can to strengthen and improve it. Tearing it down is simply not an option.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
