Congresswoman Johnson Votes Against Legislation That Would Undermine Affordable Care Act

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson voted against the partisan bill H.R. 3350, “Keep Your Health Plan Act.” The proposal marks the 46th time House Republicans have moved to undermine the Affordable Care Act and put insurance companies back in charge of Americans’ health care.  Congresswoman Johnson had the following remarks regarding her reasoning for voting against this harmful bill:

“This legislation is not only misleading, it also does not mandate that insurance companies keep beneficiaries in their policies, so they can still be kicked off their insurance at any time. This bill was solely introduced to undermine the Affordable Care Act and allows health insurers to continue to sell low quality plans through 2014.

H.R. 3350 reverses several positive policies enacted by the Affordable Care Act. The bill would allow insurance companies to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions, restore an annual cap on how much care a beneficiary can receive, and forces women to pay more than men for exactly the same coverage.

We cannot allow our citizens to become vulnerable by passing laws that will ultimately hurt them. We can, however, support targeted fixes to the Affordable Care Act when problems such as insurance terminations arise.”

Congresswoman Johnson Announces $5.6 Million Grant For Community Health Centers

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice announced $5,600,000 million in grant awards to community health centers in Texas to expand access to health care, thanks to the Affordable Care Act.  These funds will allow the centers to serve 46,000 additional patients in Texas.  Nationwide, 236 health center programs will receive approximately $150 million in grant awards to serve more than 1.25 million additional patients.

“Community health centers serve a vital role in ensuring access to comprehensive, quality, primary health care services to many of our vulnerable residents,” Congresswoman Johnson said. “Texas has more uninsured residents than any other state in America. With these new funds, community health centers will provide even more individuals and families in our state with access to high-quality affordable health care.”

Through the Affordable Care Act’s commitment to expand access to high quality health care for all Americans, these grants will be used by the community health centers to support establishment of new full-time service delivery sites. Today, nationwide approximately 1,200 health centers operate more than 9,000 service delivery sites that provide care to over 21 million patients in every state.  Since the beginning of 2009, health centers have added 4 million patients and more than 35,000 new full-time positions.

Congresswoman Johnson Cites Benefits Of Affordable Care Act For Veterans

"On October 1, 2013, the new Health Insurance Marketplace opened as part of the Affordable Care Act implementation. While the Affordable Care Act is designed to provide quality and affordable health insurance to people, the Veterans Affairs health care program remain viable options for those who qualify for those benefits. The VA health care program, the Civilian Health and Medical program (CHAMPVA), and the Spina Bifida health care program all meet the minimum essential coverage requirement under the new health care law.

With VA Health Care programs, there is still no enrollment fee, monthly premium, or deductibles. Many veterans will still have no out-of-pocket costs and can still use Medicare, TRICARE, or private insurance under the VA’s program. Those who remain uninsured, including veterans, starting in 2014 will have to pay either a flat fee or a percentage of their taxable income depending on which amount is higher.

Since a number of my constituents are veterans, it is important that they are aware of all of their health insurance options. Nationally, 1.3 million non-elderly veterans do not have health insurance which means one in every ten of those veterans is uninsured. I fully encourage our veterans to seek the care that they deserve and to fully utilize their earned health care benefits.

Also at play is the option of Medicaid as health insurance coverage. Many of these uninsured veterans also qualify for Medicaid. Though Medicaid expansion in Texas would inevitably help low-income veterans and civilians, VA health care benefits and the new Marketplaces are certainly an important piece of our nation’s health care coverage puzzle.

The Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare, has already positively impacted many of my own constituents. In my district, 10,100 young adults now have health insurance through their parents’ health plan. More than 4,000 seniors received discounts on prescription drugs worth approximately $5.6 million. More than 124,000 people – including 26,000 children and 54,000 women – now have access to free preventive services through their health insurance coverage. About 48,000 children cannot be denied health insurance based on a pre-existing condition. With the recent implementation of the Marketplaces, up to 204,000 uninsured people in my district will have access to coverage.

Veterans may also choose to enroll in Marketplace options provided by the Affordable Care Act that could lower the cost of their health insurance. Uninsured spouses of veterans who do not have access to VA benefits can also enter the Marketplace to access quality health insurance with eligibility for financial assistance.

It is my hope that veterans take advantage of the myriad of options available through the Affordable Care Act and the VA. Ensuring that our veterans have access to various services such as routine and preventive care, dental care, vision care, and emergency services is very important to me. I will work tirelessly to make sure that my constituents are aware of their options. For more information about the Marketplace, go to healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. For more information about VA health care benefits, go to va.gov/health or call 1-877-222-8387." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Congresswoman Johnson is the most senior Congressional Democrat in Texas and the Ranking Member on the Committee on Science, Space, & Technology

Source: Dallas Weekly

Congresswoman Johnson Condemns 'Extreme Right Wing' Over Government Shutdown

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson condemned members of the “extreme right wing” of the Republican Party for holding the nation “hostage” during the government shutdown because they oppose the Affordable Care Act.

“They have an extreme dislike for President Obama, and are willing to do anything to halt the effectiveness of his presidency,” Johnson wrote in a statement to the suburban Dallas Focus Daily News on Friday.

“Their behavior is not political, it is personal!”

The Congresswoman went on about the huge impact the shutdown has on the nation. She complained of hundreds of thousands of furloughed employees, damage to businesses relying on government contracts, and harm to veterans and hospital patients. Even the American food supply in danger, she said, due to the suspension of food inspections. Overall, Johnson stated, the shutdown is doing “severe” damage to the economy’s recovery.

“There are reasonable members in both political parties who would vote to open the government tomorrow if a bill was allowed to come to the floor of the House, ” Johnson wrote, “But the extremists are making all types of threats and insisting that such a vote not take place.”

Johnson argued that a majority of the American people voted for President Obama in 2012, and by doing so, they showed support of Obamacare, his signature health-care initiative.

Source: Houston Chronicle - Texas On The Potomac

Congresswoman Johnson On Health Care And The Government Shutdown

As the government is shut down for yet another day, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, who spoke to a group of about 50 small business owners last week at a forum to discuss the Affordable Health Care Act released a statement saying "Today, hundreds of thousands of federal employees though out the country, including more than 50,000 Texans did not go to work today and face uncertainty on when how they will pay their bills during this crisis. On what should be a great day for America, with the opening of the new health insurance market places, members of the extreme wing of the Republican party are playing the blame game on who is at fault for the federal government shutdown.”

Johnson says since she was elected by the constituents of the 30th district to govern responsibly and with the best interests of the American people, she will do so "I was not elected to hold the American people or our economy hostage when our political parties disagree.”

She also said that along with her staff in Washington D.C. and Dallas, she will continue to work hard to serve the people of Texas throughout the shutdown and support the healthcare law as well.

"Starting today, the healthcare law will allow my constituents looking for coverage to purchase affordable, quality health insurance through the new online marketplace. This new online marketplace provides a very simple way to get health insurance that will meet your needs, your lifestyle, and your budget at any income level. Though the government has shut down, the Affordable Care Act will continue,” she says.

At the affordable healthcare forum that Congresswoman Johnson spoke at late last week, the third in her small business series, she had noted at the time that health care is indeed an extremely important topic for the forum series for a number of reasons.

"With the public being inundated with increased attention and overwhelming information, Congresswoman Johnson wanted the facts of this law addressed by the experts, as well as provide a forum to the public where their specific concerns could be answered,” her staff reported.

In the coming weeks the public will also learn more about the benefits of this program and Congresswoman Johnson says that there must be a collective effort of outreach throughout Dallas and North Texas. Personally, her office has reached out to area chambers, churches, small businesses, community organizations and other elected officials to promote this effort.

In last week’s presentation Johnson also emphasized that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will help small businesses by lowering premium cost growth and increasing access to quality, affordable health insurance. The ACA contains a number of provisions that help to slow the growth of health care costs and insurance companies must also publicly disclose and justify premium rate hikes of 10 percent or more.

As well, Johnson says the majority of small businesses will not be affected by the new employer shared responsibility rules, which take effect in 2015. Johnson pointed out that, in fact, businesses with fewer than 50 full-time or equivalent employees are not even subject to the same rules "that’s 96 percent of our businesses,” she said.

And, for those businesses with 50 or more employees, the majority already provide coverage that meets the health care law requirements anyway.

As she welcomed attendees, Congresswoman Johnson also mentioned the Super Sunday campaign sponsored by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This initiative is a partnership with the faith-based community that will designate the second Sunday of each month from October to December 2013 as an enrollment Sunday for congregants to sign up for health insurance through the new Health Insurance Marketplace.

The purpose of this initiative is to promote assistance and resources from regional agencies to include the U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Community Council of Greater Dallas.

As well, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is also ramping up its education and outreach efforts for America’s small businesses on the Affordable Care Act too. In coordination with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Small Business Majority, Main Street Alliance, Business Forward, and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the campaign will help small employers learn more about how to take advantage of the Small Business Health Option Program (SHOP), part of the Health Insurance Marketplace that opens October 1.

SHOP is designed for small employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees. On their own or with the help of an agent, broker, or other assister, small employers will be able to compare price, coverage, and quality of plans in a way that is easy to understand.

"In recent years, the number one concern for many small businesses has been the increasing cost of health insurance premiums,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Many who would like to offer insurance to their employees have faced few choices, high administrative costs, and skyrocketing premiums when an employee gets sick.”

"Since the passage of the health care law, Small Business Majority has been committed to working with policymakers, local chambers of commerce, business organizations and others to educate small business owners about the Affordable Care Act,” said Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority John Arensmeyer.

"With open enrollment and full implementation right around the corner, we've upped our efforts to get entrepreneurs the information they need to best take advantage of the law’s small business provisions. Small business owners have been waiting for decades for something to rein in premium costs. This is our chance to help get them some relief.”

Employers buying health insurance through the SHOP Marketplace may also qualify for a Small Business Health Care Tax Credit to help defray their premium costs. Hundreds of thousands of small businesses with fewer than 25 full-time-equivalent employees have already received a tax credit of up to 35 percent of their contribution to employees’ health insurance premiums. Beginning in 2014, this tax credit will be worth as much as 50 percent of the employer’s contribution to premiums and will be available only to those purchasing coverage through the SHOP.

The SHOP offers small employers quality brand name health insurance plans and lets them make side-by-side comparisons when choosing a coverage option that is right for their business. In addition, starting in 2014, small employers have additional protections in the insurance market, including that no one can be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

It was at the beginning of the year that Congresswoman Johnson launched the small business series with the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, which combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

In June, Congresswoman Johnson hosted her second forum to promote voluntary efforts in strengthening the role of women business owners within the community, and provide education, financial or managerial assistance to enhance women’s business ownership.

With an idea that small businesses are the backbone of American economy as well as a key factor to strengthen the economy and create jobs, the Small Business Series is a program designed to provide current and aspiring small business owners the educational and operational resources necessary for managing successful small businesses. 

Source: Focus Daily News

Congresswoman Johnson's Op Ed On Affordable Care Act And Healthcare Exchange

"On October 1st the health insurance exchange, a critical part of the Affordable Care Act, will launch in Texas, giving nearly 6 million uninsured Texans and businesses the opportunity to purchase reasonably priced health insurance.

The exchange will be operated by federal officials, given that Texas Governor Rick Perry has refused to establish one because of his opposition to legislation that is designed to provide coverage to the nearly 30 million uninsured Americans.

The exchange will not act as an insurance company. It will, however, decide which insurance companies participate in the plan. It will seek to maximize the number of people who enroll. Additionally, it will promote transparency among insurers and promote fairness for consumers.

In August the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded nearly $11 million to non-profits in Texas to hire “navigators” who will help uninsured Texans understand the various options that will be available in the exchange. Navigators will also help consumers who are eligible to receive financial subsidies that will be available.

Applications for insurance will be available on Oct. 1, 2013, and coverage will begin January 1, 2014. The open enrollment for the program ends March 31, 2014. Texas will witness the largest percentage gain of any other state if it fully implements health care reform, according to researchers at Rice University in Houston.

According to the Texas Hospital Association, providing health care for the uninsured in Texas cost taxpayers and businesses nearly $5 billion in 2010. The Affordable Care Act and it various components are designed to significantly lower that amount by providing insurance to the uninsured.

The idea of an exchange is not new. Members of Congress and federal employees have participated in such a program since 1960. Private health insurance exchanges also exist in our country and participating businesses and individuals have experienced lower insurance costs while receiving quality care.

I would suggest that those who oppose the Affordable Care Act and the concept of exchanges witness the experience with health care in Massachusetts. The exchange concept is based on the model used in Massachusetts called the Health Connector, which assists people and small businesses that are searching for affordable insurance.

The law was enacted in 2006 when former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was Governor. Nearly 300,000 previously uninsured people now have insurance because of the legislation. In fact, Massachusetts has the lowest percentage of uninsured people in the entire nation.

The Affordable Care Act and the exchanges will bring about vitally necessary changes in our state. As your representative in Congress who fought hard to enact this sensible piece of legislation, I urge you to spread the word about the exchanges through your churches, neighborhood organizations, and networks so that all of our citizens can have the peace of mind that comes with having health insurance for themselves and their families." - Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Source: North Dallas Gazette