April 9, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 61 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H3139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS

  (Mrs. KIRKPATRICK asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. KIRKPATRICK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the National 
Alliance on Mental Illness and to show support for my community and the 
millions of Americans living with a mental illness.
  This weekend, I marched in the NAMI Walk to help raise awareness. I 
was inspired to hear the brave stories of so many survivors who have 
not given up on their mental wellness.
  Before the Affordable Care Act was enacted, mental health coverage 
was lacking or missing altogether from most health plans. Medicaid 
expansion, a cornerstone of the ACA, has dramatically expanded access 
to treatment in many States, including Arizona.
  But the Trump administration is again trying to eliminate the ACA and 
remove protections for people with mental illness and preexisting 
conditions.
  Republicans have no health plan other than fighting to take away 
America's healthcare. We must raise our voices and reject this again. 
We must fight for our healthcare and the coverage that treats our most 
vulnerable communities.

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