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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
INSULAR AREA MEDICAID PARITY ACT
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HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN
of the northern mariana islands
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, the coronavirus pandemic is exposing the
gaps in our national healthcare system like never before. One of those
gaps is that our national Medicaid program does not reach all Americans
with full coverage. We have already acknowledged that deficiency, in
part, with provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
that created equity between the states and the territories with respect
to the federal-local match for Medicaid. Families First, also, provided
additional federal dollars for the territorial Medicaid programs.
But the territorial programs still operate under an absolute cap for
Medicaid assistance. No matter how many fall ill, no matter how costly
or prolonged their treatment, that cap will always limit care in the
territories.
Now, as never before, we have also come to understand that, while
some areas of our nation are ill, no area of our nation can be well.
So, the time has come to repeal the cap on territories' Medicaid. The
bill I am introducing does just that.
By repealing the cap, we will be doing more than just ensuring there
are sufficient resources to face the coronavirus crisis. We will be
setting up the healthcare systems in the territories to respond to the
next public health challenge, whatever it may. Most important of all,
we will ensure that day-after-day and year-by-year those with the
smallest incomes and no access to other insurance receive the care that
will keep them healthy and help ward off debilitating disease.
We will, also, be providing a level of certainty to healthcare
providers--in the public and private sector--that will encourage
investment in the health industry in the territories, which by any
measure lags the rest of the nation. And by doing so we will create a
virtuous cycle of rising quality of care powered by rising access that
will benefit all at every income level.
Today, we are confronted by a terrible health crisis. We can beat
back the coronavirus, I am sure. But we can also do more. We can use
this time to recognize that we are one nation, one people, who must
work together not only to overcome the coronavirus, but also to create
a system for tomorrow that safeguards the health of all Americans.
Full-fledged membership in the national Medicaid program was a goal
of the territories long before I came to Congress. Now the time has
come for action. Because nothing exposes the gaps in our healthcare
system more than a disease like coronavirus.
I thank my colleagues who join in introducing this legislation--
Chairman Grijalva, Chairwoman Velazquez, Mr. San Nicolas, Mrs.
Radewagen, Ms. Plaskett, Mr. Garcia, Mr. Espaillat, and Mr. Serrano.
____________________
