[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 52 (Friday, March 24, 2017)] [House] [Page H2374] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT IS A WAY FORWARD (Mr. LaMALFA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, as we contemplate the American Health Care Act, here are a few things we do know: The Affordable Care Act, as it is called, has driven premiums for working families up and up each year. There are fewer choices of plans, especially in rural America, and 8 million and rising people are choosing not to opt to be enrolled at all, paying the penalty instead. Premiums will keep going up, as projected. Even more will drop out, and more will pay the penalty instead. More will become uninsured. This death spiral is not choice; it is not an American value. Mr. Speaker, as the American Health Care Act moves forward, we know the Democrats will not be helpful, as they are clinging to the failing ACA at all costs. We know that middle-income families are begging us for relief and more choices. We know this bill represents the best chance to achieve cost relief, actual choices, while also keeping the commitment under Medicaid to children in need with reauthorizing the bipartisan SCHIP later this year. More affordable options come about with unshackling what the ACA has wrought. It is this or that. Mr. Speaker, we must keep this dialogue, this option, this bill, the American Health Care Act, as a way forward to bring choices and relief to Americans who have worked for the American Dream and are feeling like they are losing it. Let's keep our pledge and help President Trump keep his pledge by taking this one of three important steps with the American Health Care Act. ____________________