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The Territories Health Equity Act

Floor Speech

Date: June 16, 2021
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care

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Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 3434, the Territories Health Equity Act of 2021.

This bill will address the existing inequalities the territories face under Medicaid, Medicare, and other Federal health programs. Importantly, regarding Medicaid, it would provide us with the equitable share of Federal funding for Medicaid beyond the upcoming fiscal cliff when much of the existing funding for the territories is scheduled to expire at the end of September 2021.

In the midst of a global pandemic, with more Federal attention on how healthcare funding disparities have had a deleterious impact on the finances of local governments and hospitals throughout the country, we believe this is an opportune time to press for equity in Medicaid and Medicare.

The inequities in Federal funding provided to the territories for Medicaid and Medicare have put access to affordable healthcare out of reach for too many in the Virgin Islands and the other territories, making our hospitals' emergency rooms the primary healthcare provider for one-third of our population without health insurance, which contributes to unmanageable costs. Please support H.R. 3434.

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