Senator Sherrod Brown on Affordable Health Choices Act

Legislation Is Important Step Toward Comprehensive Health Care Reform

June 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democrats on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee today introduced The Affordable Health Choices Act as part of Congressional efforts to reform the nation’s health care system.

Article continues below...

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), a member of the U.S. Senate HELP Committee, issued the following statement in response:

“This legislation takes major steps toward reforming private insurance markets, cutting health care costs, and improving quality of care. The final legislation must also include a public health care option – it’s not just good policy, it’s the right thing to do. Ohio families have waited long enough for health care reform. I applaud Chairman Kennedy and Senator Dodd for their leadership and look forward to working with them on the final bill.”

The Affordable Health Choices Act includes the following five major elements:

• Guarantees choice of plan for consumers while affording consumers new, more affordable options.

• Reduces health care costs through market competition, stronger prevention, better quality of care, and steps to root out fraud and abuse.

• Strengthens prevention and wellness programs for millions of Americans.

• Modernizes the health system by investing in training for medical professionals and by better coordinating patient care.

• Improves long term care and services for elderly and disabled Americans.

Source: Senator Sherrod Brown