Health Care
All Americans should have comprehensive, affordable, quality health care as a fundamental right. The Affordable Care Act, which I voted for in 2010, has been a major step in the right direction. It has expanded health coverage and protected patients, no matter how you get your insurance. However, we have more work to do to reduce costs, including out-of-control prescription drug costs, and to further improve the quality of care.
In Congress, I strongly oppose efforts to repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act, weaken Medicaid for vulnerable Americans, or endanger Medicare for seniors today and in the future. I strongly support creating a public option in our health care system, efforts to address health disparities, and policies that will address the rise of prescription drug costs. We must also do more to ensure all Americans have access to mental and behavioral health services. To fulfill our goal of a true universal health care system, I have proposed the America’s Right to Health Care Amendment, which would enshrine a fundamental right to health care in our Constitution.
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Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 7, a bill that makes it harder for women to access comprehensive reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion. It is outrageous that, in 2017, women still have to fight for our right to make basic health care decisions.
Under the Hyde and Helms Amendments, no federal dollars fund abortion. H.R. 7 would codify these unjust limitations and in fact goes much further by restricting women’s access to comprehensive health care even when no federal funding is involved.
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions is today considering the nomination of Representative Tom Price (R-Ga.) to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement on the Price confirmation hearings:
“The nomination of Representative Tom Price (R-GA) to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services represents a Republican assault on Americans who receive health care from Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Affordable Care Act.
Joining millions of Americans participating in "Our First Stand" — the National Day of Action to Save Health Care — Congresswoman Betty McCollum recorded a video message explaining her strong support for the Affordable Act and strongly opposing Republican plans to repeal this life-saving law.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) today voted against House and Senate Republicans’ FY2017 budget resolution, the opening salvo in their attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The budget resolution would lead to more than 20 million Americans losing their health coverage and would add $9.5 trillion to the federal debt over the next 10 years.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor about the Affordable Care Act and Republican plans to repeal it:
I rise today in strong support of the Affordable Care Act, a law that has made a real difference in the lives of Minnesotans and Americans.
After seven years attacking the ACA, Republicans still haven’t come up with a plan to replace this law.
Instead, they plan to work with President-elect Donald Trump to repeal this law and destroy the progress we have made.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum released the following statement after being sworn-in to represent the families of Minnesota's Fourth District in the United States House of Representatives in the 115th Congress:
I was honored to be sworn in today as the 115th Congress convened in Washington. I am very grateful to the families of Minnesota’s Fourth District for giving me the opportunity to represent our shared values in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Mr. Speaker, my dear friend, Frank J. Indihar, MD passed away on October 23, 2016. He leaves a legacy of both medical excellence and committed service to my community, the state of Minnesota, and our nation.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-Ga.) to be Secretary of Health and Human Services:
“The nomination of Republican Chairman Tom Price to be Secretary of Health and Human Services is clear proof that the guarantee of Medicare for seniors will be a top target for the Trump administration.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) spoke with Fourth District seniors on Tuesday morning about open enrollment in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D, which continues through December 7.
The event, organized by the Metropolitan Area Agency on Agency and held at the West 7th Street Community Center, included a discussion by trained experts about Medicare options and a tutorial on how to use Medicare's Plan Finder.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the House passed a continuing resolution that funds the government through December 9: