Hoyer Remarks at a Press Conference on the “Souls to Enroll”

Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Effort

November 8, 2017

CONTACT: Mariel Saez 202-225-3130

Hoyer Remarks at a Press Conference on the "Souls to Enroll" Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Effort

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined a press conference led by Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (SC-06) with the Democratic Faith Working Group and faith community leaders on their "Souls to Enroll" open enrollment effort to encourage Americans to sign up for health insurance through the marketplaces between now and December 15th. Below is a transcript of his remarks:

"I believe in the separation of the Church and the State. What I don't believe in is the separation of the values that our faith teaches us and the policies that we pursue.

"In Matthew Chapter 10, Jesus sent his 12 apostles out on his ministry and the first instruction he gave them was to, quote, 'heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.' When we work to expand access to quality, affordable health care it's not only an act of policy, it is an act of faith.

"More than 12 million Americans are enrolled in marketplace plans for 2017, thanks to the ACA. Twelve million souls who have access to affordable, quality health care. Matthew 10, 'to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.' Now that was a record, and our allies made that happen - our allies in the faith community, in the labor community, educational community, and the community at large.

"Now having failed to pass their TrumpCare bill repealing the ACA, Republicans are sabotaging the open enrollment process by cutting down the length of the enrollment period, by shutting down the website, and ceasing advertising to inform those of what steps they need to take to provide for healing from disease or sickness.

"Despite the GOP's sabotage, however, enrollment is surging with more than 200,000 Americans choosing a plan on the first day of open enrollment. Thank you, thank you, thank to the faith community, and thank all of us who understand that we need to empower the people to protect themselves by giving them knowledge.

"We need to continue to go out and spread the word. Let us, like those who went out with an instruction to heal the sick, let's get the souls to enroll.

"I got into politics because of John Kennedy, and in his inaugural address of 1961, he said 'let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth, God's work must truly be our calling.'

"Heal disease and sickness, that's God's work. Thank you for taking that responsibility to lift up, reach out to, and educate our fellow citizens so they and their families will be healthier, as will our nation."