Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on becoming a co-sponsor of H.R. 3659, the Exchange Inclusion for a Healthy America Act of 2015, which would allow millions of undocumented immigrants to purchase health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. H.R. 3659 would eliminate restrictions in the Affordable Care Act that prevent immigrants who currently lack legal status from purchasing health insurance on the state and federal health care exchanges.

“Today, there are millions of people living in the United States who work or attend school, who want comprehensive  health care insurance for themselves and their families at a reasonable cost. When our families and children are healthy and have access to high-quality health care, the entire nation benefits. By expanding the Affordable Care Act to include those individuals who are not yet citizens or legal permanent residents, we will increase the number of choices that are available. Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress continue to refuse to allow any debate on the comprehensive immigration reform our nation desperately needs. Until we have achieved comprehensive immigration reform, other initiatives – such as the Exchange Inclusion for a Healthy America Act of 2015 – that allow those without legal status to participate in our civil society are critical.”

H.R. 3659 was introduced by Congressman Luis Gutiérrez, and has also been co-sponsored by Congressman Raúl Grijalva, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, and Congresswoman Janice “Jan” Schakowsky.

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, the Committee on Ethics and the Committee of Small Business in the House of Representatives, proudly represents Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, Park Slope, Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.