Congresswoman Clark Leads Fix on Health Care Reform

U.S. Representative Katherine Clark, a Democrat who represents Framingham, led an effort to fix a one-sided Republican bill that she said undermines the Affordable Care Act.  

This bill is the 48th attempt by House Republicans to impede the progress of the nation’s health care law.  

Clark offered the final Democratic amendment to the Exchange Information Disclosure Act, legislation requiring onerous and extensive data reporting from the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the health care law’s implementation.  

Clark called out the Republican bill as a disingenuous and partisan attempt at so-called transparency. 

“If our goal is truly transparency -- not just harassment to ensure the law never works -- why not give the full picture?” 

Editor's Note: Video of her Clark's remarks is attached to this report.

"I know firsthand how good this reform will be for the American people because I watched it happen in my own state," said Clark. "In 2006, Massachusetts implemented health care reform which today is benefiting hundreds of thousands of families.  It took hard work and it meant lawmakers who didn’t always agree on everything had to work together to do right by those they served.  Today, 97% of the people in Massachusetts are benefitting from some form of heath care coverage."

Clark said her "amendment will provide the full picture, not just data hand-picked to support a partisan argument."  

She said her amendment includes "disclosures on the number of Americans who are no longer subject to discrimination based on pre-existing conditions.  Families at home will know how many people are no longer subject to annual and lifetime limits on coverage.  They will know how many people who were previously uninsured are now able to access health care and plan for the future."