Congresswoman Adams Gives First Speech on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, DC— Today Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) gave her first speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of the Affordable Care Act. Text of the speech is below:

"Mr. Speaker I rise today in support of the Affordable Care Act. One year after implementing the health care exchanges, the number of uninsured in this country has decreased dramatically. North Carolina had one of the top five highest enrollments and in my congressional district alone, the number of uninsured has declined by 14%. Not to mention the incredible impact this legislation has had in the lives of working families.

Through the Affordable Care Act 208,000 individuals in my congressional district now have access to health insurance. Young adults and college students can now stay on their parents' plans until they are 26, which resulted in nearly 10,000 young adults retaining health insurance in my congressional district. In Addition, seniors in my district have received Medicare Part D prescription drug discounts worth $11.1 million dollars, and being a woman is no longer considered a preexisting condition.

The Affordable Care Act has also had a dramatic effect on unemployment, creating 9.6 million private sector jobs. My congressional district's unemployment rate is 13.9%, so for me this is not only about health, but jobs and our economy. These are tangible benefits that cannot be ignored. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the isle to end talks of repeal and instead work with democrats to strengthen the law to provide even greater access to health insurance. States like North Carolina must reconsider their decision to reject Medicaid expansion. This purely political decision has had real effects, leaving half a million North Carolinians uninsured.

As legislators we should make the lives of our constituents better and, Mr. Speaker, the Affordable Care Act is making the lives of our citizens better. So I urge folks in my congressional district and around the country to take advantage of the open enrollment period and get insured. There are 77 new insurers offering coverage in 2015 and the deadline to sign up is February 15, 2015. Let's continue the progress the Affordable Care Act has made and get more people covered."

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