[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 193 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H6131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1215
             HEALTH EQUITY PROVISIONS OF BUILD BACK BETTER

  (Ms. KELLY of Illinois asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my 
colleagues to pass the Build Back Better Act.
  The Build Back Better Act will bring transformational change to the 
American people, create a more equitable healthcare system, and save 
lives.
  One of the greatest ongoing injustices in our country is just how 
many people do not have access to affordable healthcare. That 
population is overwhelmingly made up of people of color and rural 
Americans.
  Policymakers and medical institutions have not prioritized the 
healthcare needs of communities of color and rural communities. The 
Build Back Better Act will help these communities by closing the 
healthcare coverage gap, create more affordable coverage options, 
expand benefits for seniors, invest in improving access to mental 
health and substance use disorders, attack the gun violence epidemic 
with public-health focused interventions, invest in addressing the 
Black maternal mortality crisis, and lowering the cost of prescription 
drugs.
  Investing in affordable care, preventative care, and targeted 
reductions in violence will result in fewer extreme health scenarios, 
fewer emergency room visits, and over time, will save us money and 
reduce the burden on our healthcare system.
  Healthcare is a human right. Passing the Build Back Better Act is a 
step in the right direction.

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