ICYMI: Schatz Speaks on Senate Floor in Support of Affordable Care Act

Today, Senator Brian Schatz delivered a floor speech on the merits of the Affordable Care Act, its benefits in Hawai‘i, and the recklessness of some members of Congress who are holding the debt ceiling vote hostage over implementation of health care reform.

“I refuse to engage in the process of political and parliamentary gymnastics designed to score small, short-term wins at the expense of the American people and the economy,” said Senator Brian Schatz.  “It has got to be pointed out that anyone who wants to grind the entire government to a halt over the implementation of this several years’ old law will cause harm to the economy, cause harm to their communities, because federal funding provides essential services and programs to constituents in every state, in every county, in every district.  If improvements or changes need to be made, they can be done through the regular order— with hearings, serious discussions and bipartisan support.”

Click here to see the Senator’s full floor speech.

Nearly 90,000 uninsured people in Hawai‘i will now be eligible for health care coverage through the Hawai‘i Health Connector. In Hawai‘i,  6,000 young adults can stay on their parents’ insurance plans until the age of 26, half a million people cannot be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition, and 460,000 residents will no longer have to fear lifetime limits on health benefits because of the Affordable Care Act.

Open enrollment for health care insurance through the Hawai‘i Health Connector opens on October 1st.  Visit www.hawaiihealthconnector.com, or call 877-628-5076, for more information. To read about how Hawai‘i families will benefit from the Affordable Care Act, please visit  http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/bystate/hi.html. 

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